The Ninth Gate

Rating:
Summary: In one word, Excellent.
Review: I love "The Ninth Gate". I have seen it many times since I first rented it back in the summer of 2000, and after buying it about a year or so later I have always made it a point to view it regularly. Director Roman Polanski has given us another masterpiece of horror with some good touches of comedy, all wrapped up in a cloak of atmosphere so thick that you could cut it with a knife. While I am not a die-hard fan of Polanski in the way I am with directors such as Tim Burton, I have seen and enjoyed very much three of his films: "Rosemary's Baby", "The Fearless Vampire Killers", and "Frantic", and have observed elements found in each of those three movies to be definitely present in this one. "The Ninth Gate" obviously has its maker's fingerprints all over it, which is good news for fans of his work.

"The Ninth Gate" works great as a detective story, which is really what it is more a horror film. Johnny Depp, my favorite actor hands down, takes us on a bizarrely fascinating journey through Portugal and France hoping to track down two of the three remaining copies of a book apparantly written by Satan himself during the Middle Ages. Along the way, we watch him being followed and see some suspicious setbacks occur, along with his dealings with his employer, a millionaire Satanist by the name of Boris Balkan.

The good things I have to say about this film: first, the directing is fantastic, atmospheric and spellbinding. You will be totally immersed in the goings-on of this film, in spite of its numerous quiet and thoughtful moments and overall slow-moving nature. The European location work is gorgeous ... we see some beautiful and sinister cities, castles, and countrysides. The movie looks and feels great. Also, a bizarre and interesting choice was made to cast the same man as four different characters, who(m) we meet two at a time, first and then again later, in the same location. Was this supposed to be symbolic or indicate something implicitly to the audience?

Second, the musical score by a fellow named Wojciech Kilar is beautiful; its haunting, subtle, and quiet. It perfectly accents the scenes it plays behind, in no way upstaging the action or even drawing attention to itself. Also, I loved the soloist (a Korean girl, I understand) who sang during the opening and ending credits. I find it appalling that during the trailers advertising this film, they played some awful new-metal-crud in an effort to get all the MTV kids into the theater. As awful as this was, I am very thankful that none of this music found its way into the movie itself ... it would be entirely inappropriate. Kilar's compositions are spot-on perfect, and nothing else should have been used.

Third, I was really taken by the fascinating artwork done for the engravings. They were almost tarot-cardish, and very bizarre. I particularly liked the one of the guy hanging by his foot from a noose (and the way it figured into a later scene after we see it for the first time) and the image of the maze with the castle turrets. The moment when we see the initials "LCF" in tiny letters hidden on particular ones was absolutely chilling.

Fourthly and finally, in spite of the fact that Johnny Depp is my favorite actor, I must say that it was Frank Langella as Boris Balkan who stole this movie away. Balkan is a fascinating character, from his special library (did anyone notice the passcode he entered to unlock its door?) to his attitude toward phony Satanists (his little "Boo!" moment was classic), all the way to his unfortunate end. His dedication to his beliefs could be both inspiring and frightening (check out what he says to Corso, Depp's character, when he tells him that the book has been stolen from his hotel room), and I enjoyed every moment that had him on the screen. Langella's Balkan definitely comes away as this movie's most memorable character. I am now very interested in seeing the version of "Dracula" he did back in the 1970s.

One final thing: I found interesting the director's choice to present Satanism in a more objective light than would normally done in films such as these. I understand that Polanski really has no religious beliefs, so as far as he's concerned one is as good as another. While I do not agree with this, it certainly makes for an interesting and original approach to the subject matter, and really works for this movie's benefit.

Give "The Ninth Gate" a try today. The DVD has some good extras, including a nice commentary with the director, and the film itself has a very high rewatchablity factor. You'll find yourself wanting to put this one into the player again and again as time goes on, and you'll find something new to enjoy about it every time. Go for it! You'll thank me.

Carry on Carry on,

MN

Rating:
Summary: Very good horror/thriller with Johnny Depp
Review: The Ninth Gate is a very good psychological thriller/horror movie with an excellent cast. Dean Corso is a rare book dealer who hunts down and authenticates rare and antique books for clients. A rich collector, Boris Balkan, hires Corso to hunt down two copies of a book that was supposedly co-written by Lucifer himself. Corso embarks on a journey that takes him to Spain, Portugal, and France in order to find the other two copies of "The Ninth Gate." Almost immediately, Corso begins to notice strange things happening all around him once he takes possession of Balkan's copy. This was a very enjoyable movie that was billed as your typical horror movie, but is really anything but that. The movie is beautifully shot with plenty of Gothic themed settings. The ending of the movie is up for your own interpretation so I won't go into what I thought. For a very good movie that keeps you guessing throughout, check out The Ninth Gate.

Johnny Depp is very good as Dean Corso, the rare book dealer who is only interested in himself and how much money he can earn. Frank Langella is also very good as Boris Balkan, the rich collector who hires Corso to find the remaining two copies of The Ninth Gate. Emmanuelle Seigner plays the Girl, a woman who mysteriously follows Corso as he travels across Europe. The movie also stars Lena Olin, Barbara Jefford, Jack Taylor, and James Russo. The DVD offers commentary from director Roman Polanski, a making of documentary, production stills/information, and widescreen presentation. For a good psychological/thriller with a good performance by Johnny Depp, check out The Ninth Gate!

Rating:
Summary: Darkness Brought to Light by Depp
Review: The Ninth Gate is a wonderful vehicle for Depp. His tongue-in-cheek performance saved what could otherwise have been an overly dark and convoluted crawl, leaving the viewer sorry for having invested the time and money.

Depp is at his best when he has a part in which to camp it up, his humor and refusal to take himself all that seriously - hiding behind the "Angel/Demon" when threatened, for instance - fosters a connection to his vulnerability, drawing the viewer into his plight.

Cast initially into an interesting adventure, spurred by the character's enjoyment of the hunt, his love of money and, ultimately, his growing attraction to the dark possibilities, Depp keeps us involved and curious.

Though even Depp is occasionally weighed down by the sluggish pace of the film, more often than not his performance offsets the muck through which his character wades.

In comparison, the supporting cast is not as well developed, and the plot is often confusing. You need to release your hold on reality quite often, but it is a work of fiction, for entertainment purposes. It succeeds quite well in this respect.

Rating:
Summary: THE GATES OF HELL
Review: This is a psychologically disturbing film. In the Ninth Gate, Johnny Depp stars as a rare book finder/ investigator who is hired by Frank Langella (in one of his finest acting roles) to find a book which is supposed to open up the ninth gate, which is the gate to hell. There are only three copies of this book and everytime one shows up someone dies a strange death. A beautiful yet strange girl keeps following Johnny and seems to be protecting him yet also inticing or inviting him deeper into the unknown. In one of the best scenes in the film Johnny makes love with her as a raging fire roars nearby. She appears to be the guardian or gatekeeper to hell or the devil incarnate. At the end, we see Johnny walking towards the gateway or doors to hell. My only complaint with the film is the music, its dull and boring but Johnny gives a great performance to make up for it. The Ninth Gate is a film worth seeing, if you like dark and disturbing films.

Rating:
Summary: A Movie That I Loved...And Hated
Review: Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) is a book hunter. He finds rare and valuable old books and sells them. He has no scruples and doesn't mind ripping off clients or lying to them to make them think that their collection is both more valuable and/or less valuable than it really is. Corso does not really have morals and doesn't believe that God and Lucifer still have power in this world. So when Boris Balkan (Frank Langella) approaches Corso and asks him to authenticate a rare book purportedly written by Lucifer himself, Corso takes the job. Within hours of his acquiring Balkan's copy, Corso's friend is dead and he is being propositioned by Liana Telfer (Lena Olin) whose husband originally owned Balkan's copy. Corso briefly entertains the notion of backing out, but Balkan's promise of more money keeps him on the job.

Once Corso has a chance to examine the book, he notices that 2 of the illustrations in the book are signed "LFR" instead of by the original artist. Intrigued, he approaches Victor Fargas (Jack Taylor), a rare book collector who owns one of the other 2 copies of the book. Sure enough, once he has examined it, he notices that 2 different illustrations with subtle, but telling differences were signed "LFR". Unfortunately, Fargas is unwilling to part with the book and throws Corso out when he discovers who he is. But Corso is not so easily dissuaded and, when he returns the following morning, he finds Fargas dead and takes the book. He then travels to Paris to see Baroness Kessler's (Barbara Jefford) copy, but she refuses to even let Corso see the book, until he explains the differences in illustrations. She turns up mysteriously dead also and Corso finds himself with all three copies and all of the illustrations labels "LFR". Supposedly Corso now has all that he needs to summon Lucifer and gain some of his power, but he doesn't believe in stuff like that, does he?

The Ninth Gate is one of those utterly creepy movies that you both love and you hate. I loved Johnny Depp's performance in this movie. He was simply amazing in the way he took this character who is scum and made you care for him and made you like him and want him to win. He starts off bad and he ends up worse, yet I felt myself urging him on and hoping he would end up the winner. Roman Polanski did a superb job in making everything look threatening and mysterious. He also throws off the viewers by adding in random things like Emmanuelle Siegner, a girl who follows Corso around. You never know if she is a friend or a foe or exactly what she is, but you know that she is definitely not a "good" person. Wojciech Kilar's music was very influential in the film and really makes your flesh crawl with his mesmerizing theme to the film. However, the movie is missing a tight plot and it kind of meanders around and so you are never quite sure if you understand what is happening or not. Also, I was not interested in learning about demonology and found the whole idea of conjuring up Lucifer to be ludicrous, but I was fascinated by the movie nonetheless. Take the time to watch this film and I believe that you will find yourself both entranced and repulsed as I was.

Rating:
Summary: DEPP DOODOO
Review: Style over substance is the key in ROMAN POLANSKI'S NINTH GATE. It's hard to believe this wickedly restrained Johnny Depp is the same one who floated through PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. Depp is an actor with a wide range and an intense desire to play roles one wouldn't originally see him in. It's hard to tell in the beginning if Depp is a true hero, or is he just as bad as the notorious Frank Langella or the daffy Lena Olin. Add Emmannuelle Sangier (spelling?) as a guardian angel named Green Eyes and one never really knows what's going on. Unfortunately, the film is so cerebral it never manages to build any true sense of suspense or terror. Polanski directs vividly, but with little regard for the emotional input of his characters. The real star of the movie is the deliciously malevolent musical score. At times mellow and melancholy, and then buoyant and teasing, it is a true musical score, that adds much to the cinematic goings on. I did like Barbara Jefford's performance as the Baroness; reminiscent of those great character actresses Estelle Winwood and Joan Plowright.
The ending is vague, and the trip may not be worth taking unless you're a true Depp/Polanski fan.

Rating:
Summary: I hate to say this, but this movie is terrible
Review: I loved the book and I was really looking for ward to the movie adaptation. I was prepared for all the normal compromises you must expect. However this movie fails on most levels despite the best efforts of Johnny Depp. The script is just terrible, and nothing anyone can do can get past that.

I can see why the movie bombed, there is just isn't much to recommend. The cinematography is good, even great in parts. So perhaps that might appeal to a film student. Otherwise the movie is without real merit.

Rating:
Summary: Read the Book On Which This Film Is Based-- Then See This
Review: A) Polanski obviously loved the book this movie is based on, "The Club Dumas" by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, so he decided to make a movie of it.

B) His script, written with John Brownjohn, tosses out HALF the plot, and half the reason for enjoying the work.

C) The film suffers, and, while enjoyable, is a much diminished work when compared to the book. So: READ THE BOOK, whether or not you've seen this movie before.

I like and respect Polanski, but he screwed up here-- Depp is the ideal Corso, but the film is a misfire only a little less ill-starred than Polanski's "Pirates."

Rating:
Summary: Save your money-
Review: -it's a God-Awful "movie" (despite Depp and Polanski) that should've been much better. Terrible script, plodding plot, when it ended, thank Allah!
Too f**king bad they don't offer negative stars for a rating, this would be a shoo-in for minus infinity.

Rating:
Summary: BORING BORING BORING
Review: I was expecting a lot more from this film. Depp's acting is very good and the story about authenticating the book written by the devil is quite interesting. Unfortunately the film is neither scary nor contains any action or suspense whatsoever. I was at least expecting an appearance from Lucifer himself but no, this film just drags and ends in a whimper.