At least in my mind, Johnny Depp is a pretty boy. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I still think of him as only maybe slightly post-adolescent. He could still get away with playing a college boy, if not quite eligible for high school anymore.
Imagine my surprise then to see that he's every bit of 40 years old. Hokey smokes! It's been a long time since 21 Jump Street.
Depp really hasn't gotten quite the proper credit for the high quality of his work. He does alright, so I ain't crying for him, but he's one of the best actors of his generation. See What's Eating Gilbert Grape? or Sleepy Hollow or Edward Scissorhands.
Partly this lack of recognition comes from his high virtue. He's consistently gone for interesting (if not always successful) material. He's clearly chosen art over commerce. This adds greatly to the quality of his name and reputation, even beyond his actual skills as an actor. Any movie that Depp is in will probably be interesting and artistically ambitious.
By contrast, Jack Nicholson may be a little bit better actor, but he's definitely got substantial whore tendencies. If somebody offers him $20 million for a couple months work, he's on the case. I don't fault him for this- it's not like I would turn down that scratch- but it makes for uneven viewing. Nicholson has been in a lot of movies that are just about unwatchable, beyond being saved by any fancy acting tricks he may pull.
Depp could be doing all the mediocre calculated Tom Cruise star roles. He's at least as pretty, and obviously a much more skillful thespian. Thankfully, he's gone a different direction. Give him high points for taste and discretion as well as good acting.
Plus, I'll give him a point of extra credit for being a Kentuckian (born in Owensboro).
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
I agree Al - I think his pretty boy origins on TV held back his reputation for an inordinately long time. I think he's pretty widely acknowledged by now.
2 - Bill Sherman
Credit John Waters, who reportedly coerced a skittish Depp into Cry Baby from 21 Jump Street by telling him he needed to break away from Hollywood formula big time. . .
3 - Sean
I agree. His choices are always interesting. He has made some crappy films, but they were not crappy in a big blockbuster that missed sort of way; Rather, they were crappy in s small film which didn't quite live up to its promise way, which is always going to be more interesting.
I may be wrong, but I don't think he has ever appeared in any films which were considered summer blockbusters, although several did do realtively well at the box office. None however were considered competitors of the Tom Cruise film inthe years when he TC is not "branching out" to take on a "challenging" role in a bid for an oscar.
4 - edioj*1
i think that johnny depp is a great actor and he has starred in loads of great movies like pirates of the carribean and edward scissor hands. i wish people would stop slating him.
5 - Gabrielle
i am in love with johnny depp. i think he is an awesome actor and no one is better. i would love to meet him just once. i loved his movie Benny & Joon.