The Libertine

2004 "He didn't resist temptation. He pursued it."
6.2| 1h54m| R| en| More Info
Released: 16 September 2004 Released
Producted By: Mr. Mudd Production
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

The story of John Wilmot, a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, a 17th century poet who famously drank and debauched his way to an early grave, only to earn posthumous critical acclaim for his life's work.

Genre

Drama, Romance

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The Libertine (2004) is now streaming with subscription on HULU

Director

Laurence Dunmore

Production Companies

Mr. Mudd Production

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The Libertine Audience Reviews

KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?
Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.
Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
Rainey Dawn One of the sexiest films Depp has ever been in... erotic overtones are strong with this one. Based on the last years of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester and his Libertine ways of life.Wilmot is not just a Libertine but an artist, writer, produces plays and starts falling in love with his new plain Jane leading actress.Recommend to watch The Man Who Cried or Don Juan DeMarco for a great night of some serious Johnny Depp films.8.5/10
SnoopyStyle In 1660, Charles II (John Malkovich) is restored to the English throne after years of repressive Puritan rule. By 1675, Charles is facing a difficult hangover and a broke country. He recalls his friend John Wilmot (Johnny Depp), second Earl of Rochester, three months into his year long banishment to take up his family seat in the House of Lords. John returns to London with his wife Elizabeth (Rosamund Pike) and is taken with failing actress Lizzy Barry (Samantha Morton).It's a period piece done in a hand-held, dark and dreary style. The colors are yellowy and greenish. The great actors are compelling until I got bored with the meandering story. Johnny Depp floats as he physically deteriorates later. It has a dreamlike quality but not necessarily an exciting dream.
Phantasma_the_Black I find this movie beautiful, intriguing, touching and somewhat disturbing. Pretty much artistic, yet appealing to different types of audience. However, most likely it won't be enjoyable for everyone, because of explicit content and perhaps disturbing images.Director Lawrence Dunmore did an amazing job and created something that could easily be considered as a masterpiece. Johnny Depp gave a standout performance (one of the best in his career; he should have won Oscar for it), as well as Samantha Morton, John Malkovich and Rosamund Pike.I've heard many people complaining how "dark" the movie is, as if it was filmed in shadows. But that's what XVII century was like - shady, dark and dirty.One of the best aspects of the movie is both physical and psychological metamorphosis of the main character. In the first part of the movie we see a man who has everything, but values nothing. Most people around him like him only because he's well known, gorgeous looking and influential person. Those who do really know him, such as his wife and mother, truly love him the way he is, but he doesn't seem to care much about them As the movie proceeds he finds true love, that, as he said, teaches him "how to love life", but he becomes ill and everyone begins to avoid him. Ironically, the only people who are there for him at that point are the ones whose love he had never appreciated.One could possibly say it's a shame that it hadn't been a major Hollywood project, because more people would have heard of it, but I think it's better this way, since it has avoided some of the boring Hollywood clichés.
paul2001sw-1 Most historical dramas follow a deadly-dull formula, based on pretty costumes, convention and romance. But 'The Libertine' is a wholly refreshing film, showing that it's possible to make an original period drama that shuns the formulae that mar many others. The film is boosted by terrific performances from the entire cast, and a poetic dialogue that has the feel of that of a 17th century play, but subtly infused with a naturalistic and contemporary flavour. The story is based on a real life libertine, and the court of Charles II was known for its debauchery, but I doubt the real figure was quite as extraordinary or publicly obscene as the character played here by Johnny Depp; but the world depicted here makes perfect sense in its own terms. And the creation of this world is really the film's entire point, as the plot is fairly linear and limited. But this is a movie of unusual flair and verve.