After being hired by Frank Langella (as Boris Balkan), "Johnny Depp unlocks the gates to hell, in Roman Polanski's newest thriller. Depp stars as Dean Corso, an unscrupulous rare-book dealer who is hired to locate the remaining copies of 'The Nine Gates of the Shadow Kingdom,' a demonic manuscript that can summon the Devil. Corso becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving murder, theft, and satanic ritual; and, ultimately finds himself confronting the devil incarnate," according to official synopsis.
In order to look old, bookish Depp occasionally has a chalk-like substance added to his temples. He treats rare old books indelicately, and sometimes blows tobacco smoke on them. Despite these early warnings, "The Ninth Gate" becomes intriguing, as Depp's character unfolds the mysteries of three Satanic volumes, and their differing illustrations. Emmanuelle Seigner and Lena Olin are obviously bad news, but Depp messes with them anyway.
The major film's main weakness in that it doesn't go anywhere with its promising storyline; and, most importantly, it lacks a satisfactorily ending. You might even call it incoherent (see for yourself, if you dare). Darius Khondji's cinematography, and wheelchair-bound devil worshiper Barbara Jefford (as Baroness Kessler) are strengths.
***** The Ninth Gate (8/25/99) Roman Polanski ~ Johnny Depp, Emmanuelle Seigner, Barbara Jefford
In order to look old, bookish Depp occasionally has a chalk-like substance added to his temples. He treats rare old books indelicately, and sometimes blows tobacco smoke on them. Despite these early warnings, "The Ninth Gate" becomes intriguing, as Depp's character unfolds the mysteries of three Satanic volumes, and their differing illustrations. Emmanuelle Seigner and Lena Olin are obviously bad news, but Depp messes with them anyway.
The major film's main weakness in that it doesn't go anywhere with its promising storyline; and, most importantly, it lacks a satisfactorily ending. You might even call it incoherent (see for yourself, if you dare). Darius Khondji's cinematography, and wheelchair-bound devil worshiper Barbara Jefford (as Baroness Kessler) are strengths.
***** The Ninth Gate (8/25/99) Roman Polanski ~ Johnny Depp, Emmanuelle Seigner, Barbara Jefford