For the past couple of years my wife and I have been unable to share a bedroom. Due to both of us having a variety of health issues, our sleeping patterns are such that it would be torture for anyone sharing a bed with either one of us. As a loving husband I thought it my duty to ensure her some sort of compensation for her loss of companionship.
On the outer side of my bedroom door, which when placed on a particular angle she can look at from her bed, is a large full colour poster of Johnny Depp in complete Captain Jack pirate regalia. Each night as I go to bed I have the reassurance of knowing that someone is looking out for my wife. She of course gets to fall into dreams of dashing pirates whisking her away on adventures.
Johnny Depp is one of the few actors around who could have rescued a mediocre Disney movie like Pirates of the Caribbean through the strength of performance and personality alone. Like Viggo Mortensen in Hidalgo, without him it would have just been another formulaic flick that had no reason for existence save making Disney a few more bucks. I still wish I could have seen the frozen grins on executive’s faces when they saw the first dailies of good old Jack. Oh to have been a fly on the wall that day!
Some people may not be able to appreciate the good Captain properly so maybe a little history lesson is in order. If you go back in time about twenty five years ago to the end of the eighties and earlier, to the first days of Fox’s intrusion onto the public airways you’ll remember, or not, the teen hit Twenty-One Jump Street, young, hip cops infiltrating high schools to break up trouble.
Sort of a Just Say No to Drugs version of the Mod Squad, it featured a very young Johnny Depp in the lead role. He was being moulded into a forerunner of Jason Priestly and Luke Perry by producers desperate for the publicity a teen idol can generate. Covers of Tiger Beat and Teen featured his brooding face for the run of the show as they tried to define his career for him.
Article comments
1 - Lisa McKay
This is a very interesting and insightful look at Depp's career, gypsyman. I, too, have long admired his refusal to play the Hollywood game in favor of choosing interesting and offbeat roles. He certainly could have cashed in on his looks, but I do appreciate the path he's taken instead.
2 - Chris Beaumont
One of the most underrated actors of this generation. He can make a bad film enjoyable (The Ninth Gate)
3 - dietdoc
gypseyman, great work. I respect Mr. Depp's talent as an actor greatly. You do him justice. I will not ruin this excellent bit of writing by discussing other aspects of Mr. Depp's life and philosophy that give me pause in more completely appreciating his screen work. I am, suffice it to say, not a "fan" of Mr. Depp, but I certainly do appreciate his skills as you have described them.
Cheers,
Ron
4 - Marie
This is a great piece of work, I have been a big fan of Johnnys for a long time, it,s really good to see some one else appreciate him, and his work.
5 - DrPat
Depp also has the ability to take a supporting role (as he did in Chocolat) and embue it with all the power he brings to a star turn, without "stealing" the show. Like dietdoc, I may not agree with Depp anywhere else, but onscreen, he deserves the utmost respect.
6 - Brittany
I love Johnny Depp he is the sexiest man alive.
7 - Mitzi
Johnny Depp is one of the finest actors ever to hit the silver screen. He does his characters the way he knows they should be done and he does not compromise or sell out. He has everything it tales to be a star but doesn't care about that-only the work. I celebrate him as a fine actor and a wonderful person.
8 - Tan The Man
I liked him better when no one really knew who he was. Damn that Pirates!
9 - Deppaholic
Johnny is such a great actor, that he doesn't even have to say much to convey everything about his character. In "Edward Scissorhands," for example, he spoke ONLY 169 words, in total. What other actor could pull that off!?!
And didn't he just STEAL the show in "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." I was far more interested in what Agent Sands was up to, then El Mariachi's agenda.
And who else but Mr. Depp could make a fey pirate and an eccentric choclatier so incredibly hot and memorable?????
Johnny Rules!!!!!!!
10 - QueenGonzo
Yes, Johnny Depp is unbelievably talented.
11 - Mark the Sane and Sensible
Johnny Depp is an annoying Hollyweird pseudo-activist who lives in his palatial digs in France and bashes the US at every opportunity, never getting his hair mussed and pretty face dinged in the process. His comments prove that actors should shut up and continue doing what they do best, play make believe, because they have NO grip on reality.
12 - IgnatiusReilly
"His comments prove that actors should shut up and continue doing what they do best, play make believe, because they have NO grip on reality."
You mean like Ronald Reagan and Charlton Heston? Or is it only actors you disagree with?
13 - alienboy
Mark the "Sane" and "Sensible", posts like yours simply ruin a nice convo.
Please keep your personal hatred to yourself and try to remain on subject. This is an appreciation of somebody's work not a political piece...
14 - Sick of Him
Johnny Depp is overrated.
15 - scott alan
what about benny & june, I know a lady that lives In a house that parts of the movie was filmed in. Everytime I see the house I think of his unforgettable genious.