Sadly, this film is not as good as it thinks it is. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it well enough, but it won't change your life, reveal the secret of happiness or even inspire you to a night of impassioned lovemaking (for that, see Don Juan de Marco).
It certainly looks good, has some charming and funny moments, as well as some solid performances (Depp's oirish is better than his mockney). But it's all been done before - magic stranger arrives in town, changes people's lives, falls foul of the local patriarchal repressor, everything builds to a happy ending in a warm sentimental glow. I've been told that the book is far more involved, has a real feeling of magic, and is less light and fluffy.
There's a certain amount of lazy assumption as well; just like cheesy action movies, the right mix of ingredients will always attract genre fans regardless of quality. Fair enough, but this is not a classic. It doesn't take any risks, plays to a formula, and ultimately, it's a low-fat confection - tastes fine, but you don't carry it with you.
It certainly looks good, has some charming and funny moments, as well as some solid performances (Depp's oirish is better than his mockney). But it's all been done before - magic stranger arrives in town, changes people's lives, falls foul of the local patriarchal repressor, everything builds to a happy ending in a warm sentimental glow. I've been told that the book is far more involved, has a real feeling of magic, and is less light and fluffy.
There's a certain amount of lazy assumption as well; just like cheesy action movies, the right mix of ingredients will always attract genre fans regardless of quality. Fair enough, but this is not a classic. It doesn't take any risks, plays to a formula, and ultimately, it's a low-fat confection - tastes fine, but you don't carry it with you.