Johnny Depp is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in Hollywood today. He first broke onto the scene when he starred in the 21 Jump Street TV series and played bit parts in movies like Platoon and Nightmare on Elm Street. We knew from the moment we saw Depp's death scene in Elm Street that he was destined for greatness:
And he hasn't disappointed. Depp's career has been nothing if not eclectic. He quickly veered away from pretty-boy roles to tackle more challenging fare in the '90s - Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. And his superstar status was finally cemented after several Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
Disney is clearly hoping that Depp's turn as Tonto in the big-budget remake of The Lone Ranger will spark a new multi-billion dollar franchise. We'll find out when that movie hits theaters next week. But for now, we figured it was a perfect time to take a look at Depp's colorful career and select his ten best movies. Read our list and let us know your favorite Depp roles in the comments section below. And check out last year's look back at the many collaborations between Depp and director Tim Burton.
Despite his early controversial fare, director John Waters attracted mainstream interest with the original Hairspray in 1989. For his studio-backed follow-up, Waters again chose to craft a musical set in mid-century Baltimore. But Cry-Baby was a more personal reflection on Waters' own experiences growing up in a city divided by racial and class tensions. Depp played Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker, leader of a gang of juvenile delinquents known as Drapes.
Cry-Baby was Depp's first feature-film starring role in the wake of 21 Jump Street. Though he didn't actually sing on the soundtrack and had no dance experience prior to the movie, he was utterly convincing as the charismatic leader of the Drapes. It was as if a young Elvis or James Dean had returned to the screen.
Dead Man
Dead Man is viewed by many as one of the quintessential examples of the post-modern Western (No Country For Old Men being another). But director Jim Jarmusch describes this film as a "psychedelic Western." It certainly stands out from the pack, thanks to its black-and-white filming approach, its electric guitar-infused, Neil Young-composed score, and Jarmusch's own distinct directorial style.
However you choose to describe it, Dead Man stars Depp as Billy Blake, an accountant who sets out for the remote town of Machine, only to be turned away from his would-be employer, blamed for a double-murder, and hounded by a trio of bounty hunters. Blake's only ally is an American Indian named Nobody who, despite his hatred of most white men, is convinced that Blake is the reincarnation of his favorite poet, William Blake.
Dead Man is one of the more unusual Westerns movie lovers are likely to come across, and that's a big part of its charm. Sleepy Hollow fans can look to Depp's performance here as a precursor to his meek, bumbling take on Ichabod Crane several years later.
Depp was no stranger to playing kooky characters by the time he joined Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, nor was portraying real-life celebrities outside of his comfort zone. Both roles collided as Depp took on the role of Hunter Thompson, recreational drug enthusiast and pioneer in the field of gonzo journalism. Fear and Loathing is based on Thompson's semi-autobiographical book of the same name, chronicling journalist Raoul Duke's misadventures while covering a story in Las Vegas alongside his lawyer, Dr. Gonzo (played by Benicio del Toro).
This is the sort of film that lives or dies on the strength of the lead actor's performance. Luckily, Depp spent a good deal of time hanging out with Thompson before the shoot, honing in on the writer's bizarre mannerisms and speech patterns. Whether critics praised Terry Gilliam's film for capably bringing Thompson's exploration of America's dark and surreal side to life or simply bombarding the viewer with one inane situation after another, no one seemed to complain about the strength of Depp's performance.
Depp even reprised the role (sort of) when he starred in The Rum Diary, another adaptation of a Thompson book.
Pirates of the Caribbean had every reason to be a massive failure for Disney. It was based on a theme park attraction, and that formula had already fizzled thanks to Haunted Mansion and The Country Bears. And the failure of 1995's Escape From Cutthroat Island suggested that audiences just weren't interested in pirate-themed movies anymore. Instead, Pirates proved to be one of the most successful films of 2003 and spawned a mammoth new franchise for Disney.
Part of the success was due to Gore Verbinski, whose whip-smart directorial style delivered a fun, attractive, engaging pirate adventure. But much of the franchise's continued success rests squarely on Depp's shoulders. Depp took what was originally written as a fairly standard pirate anti-hero role and gave it new life. His Captain Jack Sparrow is as spastic as he is charming. He's a pirate of impeccable comic timing, countless strange mannerisms and personality quirks, and sometimes ambiguous sexual orientation. Disney execs were reportedly flabbergasted by early footage of Depp sauntering his way across the Caribbean, but audiences adored Sparrow.
The Pirates franchise has seen a steady decline in quality with each new film, but as long as Depp is still willing to don the buccaneer boots and makeup, we expect the money will keep rolling in.
It's not uncommon to see a new Hollywood take on the classic Peter Pan story every few years. Finding Neverland offered a nice change of pace in that, rather than rehashing the same old tale or offering a sequel, it focused on the real-world inspiration for Pan, Captain Hook, and Neverland. Depp starred as playwright J.M. Barrie, a man who found inspiration for his career-defining story from a widow (Kate Winslet) and her four children (including a pre-Bates Motel Freddie Highmore).
Finding Neverland was also a nice change of pace in terms of Depp's performance. After chewing every scrap of scenery in Pirates of the Caribbean, Finding Neverland allowed the actor to focus on a more subdued, understated role. Depp showed a willingness to step back and allow Winslet and Highmore to show their dramatic chops. But "understated" hardly means "boring." Depp expertly conveyed the good-natured charm and dreamy disposition of Barrie. The movie might not have offered the most historically accurate depiction of Barrie's life, but it was a thematically rich story that celebrated the joy of never having to truly grow up.
Source : ign[dot]com
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