I don't particularly think this is a classic or anything like that. I say that because Polansky seems to switch again and again between making a serious movie about books, Satan, and myth to making a parody of the very same subject matter. In general, if you like mysterious stories about weird underworlds (i.e. European book collectors and Devil Worshippers) then you should find this an entertaining movie.
I love Depp, and I think he gives a strong performance playing a book collector with very little soul who gets embroiled in a job. His job is to authenticate an edition of the Ninth Gate, one of 3 existing. The owner thinks he has a fake, but in actuality the links between the 3 editions become much more complex. There is a mysterious woman who helps him along the way, I've always had my theories on who/what she represents but I wont spoil the movie for the rest of you.
Shot well, acted well, and fairly captivating, the only negatives are the occasionally weird scenes that don't fit the underlying themes of cerebral, mysterious, and unknowing story lines. At times it seems Roman kinda just breezed through a scene or two, thats my only problem with the movie. Over all its definitely underrated, largely because it never received Hollywood's stamp of approval. Go see it.
I love Depp, and I think he gives a strong performance playing a book collector with very little soul who gets embroiled in a job. His job is to authenticate an edition of the Ninth Gate, one of 3 existing. The owner thinks he has a fake, but in actuality the links between the 3 editions become much more complex. There is a mysterious woman who helps him along the way, I've always had my theories on who/what she represents but I wont spoil the movie for the rest of you.
Shot well, acted well, and fairly captivating, the only negatives are the occasionally weird scenes that don't fit the underlying themes of cerebral, mysterious, and unknowing story lines. At times it seems Roman kinda just breezed through a scene or two, thats my only problem with the movie. Over all its definitely underrated, largely because it never received Hollywood's stamp of approval. Go see it.