"do you like me now? do you like me...now?"

more thoughts on the libertine, mainly because i can't get the movie out of my head. with a film starring johnny depp and john malchovik you know you're in for a different sort of film. though it was slow at parts i did like the movie overall.

for those who know nothing about it: johnny depp plays john wilmot, the earl of rochester in 17th century england. charles II is broke and can't get money from anyone and looks to the earl to write a grand and glorious speech that will show how great his monarchy is. the reason for this hiring lies in the fact that john wilmot is known for his amazing wit and writing, but mostly for his love of women and wine. the latter two is the focus of this film and how the earl falls further into a downward spiral, leading ultimately to his demise.

though this synopsis may make you feel sympathetic towards the earl, don't be. at the beginning of the film the direct (in a stroke of genius) has john wilmot address the audience directly stating "you will not like me."

i'm still torn between whether i liked john wilmot. i would have to say no, but seeing as how i love the actor playing him it's hard to say such things. the movie is vulgar, graphic, and boring at parts.

but i really did like it. honest.

i made that decision in the last 8 minutes of the movie, where john wilmot addresses the audience (again) for the last time. he goes back to his original statement by asking us "do you like me now?" and before i could answer he asks again. and again. and again. you sense that his character has changed somehow and he just trails off with "do you like me..."

the music is fantastic throughout the entire film, but with michael nyman i wasn't surprised. he's the composer that did the soundtrack for the piano and i loved it. my favorite song occurs at the end, when the earl is talking to you (aptly titled "rochester's farewell"). it's amazing.