The day after Thanksgiving, the still-newish Weinstein Company will unveil its second release ... sort of. The Libertine, directed by Laurence Dunmore and starring Johnny Depp as the legendary poet/drunk the 2nd Earl of Rochester, will open up on a handful of screens in New York and LA, without a rating. And a week later, it'll be gone – at least, if all goes according to plan. Weinstein originally planned to release the film as part of its early-fall Miramax shelf dump – remember, the one that worked so well for Proof and all those other long-delayed Oscar hopefuls? – but they've now decided instead to release the picture for a one week awards qualifying run, and then regroup and reevaluate after nominations season. I saw the picture this morning, and I think they're doing the right thing; Johnny Depp notwithstanding, this thing is going to be nearly impossible to market. The Weinstein Company are not yet affiliated with the MPAA; as such, when the ratings board offered them an NC-17 on the film, they politely declined. Depp is fabulous as the incorrigible Earl, and overall, the film is definitely worth seeing. But it's literally bursting with filth, to the point where it's almost like The Aristocrats remade as a narrative period piece. To say it won't play in Peoria is an understatement – the only way it'll play anywhere is if it's got a legitimate awards push behind it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-17-2005 @ 9:39PM
Sioux Craft said...
I have been waiting very impatiently for this movie. I'm glad they declined the NC-17 rating, even though it means that it probably won't show in my small town. I don't mind. I'll drive to the nearest theatre to see this performance. I guarantee it will be worth the time and gas to see Johnny Depp in his element. He IS the best actor of our time, and worth every penny spent.
I know he will bring John Wilmot to life in the best possible way. Wilmot, a brilliant writer and poet, Depp, a brilliant actor and storyteller. The two together? GOLD!
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11-17-2005 @ 10:43PM
Carol Margerum said...
Now I'm a little confused here. I saw the Libertine at the AFI festival unrated. I can see it appearing for the one week unrated. But would it be in more theaters in wide release with an NC-17 or with an unrated classification????
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11-18-2005 @ 12:07AM
Teri Johnson said...
I saw The Libertine at the AFI festival last week. I don't think it is an NC-17 movie anymore. Several scenes that were included in the movie when it was a work in progress in Toronto have been taken out. But that's just my opinion. The movie is not going to be for everyone. Johnny's fan base is all over the map now. But it is most definitely a must see movie. I have never seen Johnny in a role like this before and he is incredible. I think he put every ounce of emotion and energy he had into this role and had to dig deep within himself to find it.
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11-19-2005 @ 4:56PM
Joy Wysong said...
So if this isn't going to be released nationwide, how should those of us who do not live in L.A. and New York go about getting our hands on it?
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11-21-2005 @ 4:49PM
kathy jo jones said...
I live in southern california and have not found a theatre yet that is playing this movie next week (Nov. 25-Dec.2). Does ANYBODY know where it will be playing or have they not even picked the theatres where it will run yet? And how did you folks get into that AFI screening? According to the websites, tickets were sold out and only available at the door if available.
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12-03-2005 @ 3:36AM
Rekkha said...
I live in Singapore and i'm afraid that The Libertine wont be shown in Theatres here.If that does happen,i'll die cause a life without Johnny Depp would be meaningless..So somebody please educate me...Will The Libertine be shown in Singapore????
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