John Malkovich, Johnny Depp, Johnny Vegas

The film follows the second Earl of Rochester's adventures in London, from his passionate romance with a young actress, Elizabeth Barry, to the writing of a scurrilous play which blisteringly and bawd...( read more  read more... )ily lampoons the very monarch who commissioned it, Charles II, leading to the Earl's banishment and eventual downfall.

Flixster Users

58% liked it

65,415 ratings

Critics

31% liked it

116 critics

R, 2 hrs. 10 min.

Directed by: Laurence Dunmore

Release Date: March 10, 2006

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 4, 2006

Get It:

Stats: 3,878 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (3,878)


  • June 12, 2008
    Could have been more, what with the acting talent of John Malkovich and Johnny Depp. Thing is, 'The Libertine' tries too hard to be controversial, even though what is seen is everyday docudrama material. Like handing out dildos to your audience or getting a blowjob on stage? It m...( read more)ay be funny, and it does stick, but it's not like we haven't seen the same type of thing before.

    After 'Pirates', I'm sure some viewers may find Depp a bit too serious. But he is, and not in comparison. Wilmot's dry humour kind of slips off his tongue without being witty or charismatic. We are unable to sympathise with Wilmot. He's just some guy who wrote plays, slept around and eventually, died. For once, I criticize the way Depp handles the script.

    All in all, it's very enjoyable, but not special.
  • June 7, 2008
    The life of John Wilmot took a hugely wrong turn, and this movie followed it to the letter. Despite his assurances to the contrary (or perhaps because of them) I found Rochester's character very endearing, as Johnny Depp cannot help but make his creations. The dialogue is very wi...( read more)tty and the characters very human and affecting. All around a very good film, if quite dark. It's hard, as always to watch characters destroy themselves and fall apart, but for the most part this movie is not really about that.
  • May 3, 2008
    "I don't mean to upset people, but I must speak my mind. For what's in my mind is far more interesting than what's outside my mind."

    The Libertine is one of Johnny Depp's finest performances, and overall a simply brilliant movie. From it's more disturbing yet striking s...( read more)cenes to it's powerful and unique story; I couldn't wish for anything more from this movie.

    Taking place in the 17th century, The Libertine centres around the life of John Wilmont, aka the Earl of Rochester. He is a corrupt, drunk and sexually active cynical poet, who has a distinctive love for the theatre. As the film goes on, we are witnessed to his reputation of being liked by the ladies, drinking, shagging and his sexual play. This usually wouldn't be a movie that I would choose to watch, but Johnny Depp made it an instant must-see for me, and I am now very happy and pleasantly surprised with my verdict.

    Johnny Depp has given one of his best performances in The Libertine, once again showing what an incredible actor he is and what versatility he has between his various acting roles. John Malkovich has another exceptional movie added to his filmography, while there were other great performances from Rosamund Pike, Jack Davenport and Samantha Morton.

    I highly recommend this movie, even just to see for yourself what it is like. I can't guarantee that everyone will like it, but it should at least be an interesting experience.
  • April 26, 2008
    "The entire piece has been devised with the French in mind. In France, fornication in the streets with total strangers is compulsory."


    The Libertine is a criminally underrated drama set during the 17th century. The film tells the fascinating latter life

    ...( read more) tale of the 2nd Earl of Rochester, John Wilmot (Depp).

    During the period in which he lived, society was obsessed with everything sex related; whores were all over the streets, men cheated on their wives at brothels, etc. Wilmot was a man who was completely obsessed with sex (as told in the opening prologue; he is up for it "at any time" and with any gender).

    The film examines the passionate romance Wilmot had with a young actress named Elizabeth Barry (Morton), and the phase Wilmot had with poetry.

    Johnny Depp's performance is sensational like always; he plays his role to perfection, displaying depth and serious talent. Samantha Morton and Rosamund Pike are both extremely good as well; they both portray love interests for Wilmot. John Malkovich is also thrown into the mix here as well, playing yet another memorable character.

    The Libertine is a very unique, one-of-a-kind movie. Throughout the running time, there is non-stop explicit sexual dialogue and frequent uses of quite shocking words (the c-word is used very often here), not to mention very sensual scenes including brief nudity and very mature themes.

    Wilmot's story is one of self-betrayal, squandered talents and unrealised potential. If he had focused more on realising his potential as a writer, he could have been another Shakespeare. Instead his life was dedicated to sex and little else.

    The Libertine is not a movie for all tastes. Many scenes include sickening dialogue, disturbing imagery and explicit language. Many people dislike it due to this fact, but this was the lifestyle of the people during the 17th century; alcohol, sex, bad language.

    Having said that, the film is extremely funny at times and has a great deal of surprises along the way. The fascinating storytelling makes this very worthwhile viewing. I recommend the movie; it's very entertaining, very poignant and very well made.
  • April 24, 2008
    brutal. yet so beautiful.
  • November 20, 2009
    Johnny Depp did a tremendous job along with John Malkovich, but it wasn't a particularly strong film. The story was a bit too simplistic and tended to drag. I enjoyed the style of it, but it had very little originality to it.
  • November 16, 2009
    Not fully appealing. Depp plays a mideavil pimp essentially
  • November 11, 2009
    This movie was awful. The story was far from coherent, and nothing flowed nicely. And Johnny Vegas in a semi-serious role? What a joke.
  • October 28, 2009
    "You will not like me now and you will like me a good deal less as we go on."

    Right before watching this movie I said "Johnny Depp, John Malkovich and sex, it's perfect!" And God, was I right!
    I don't even know what to say about this movie, it's just awesome. Great actors, fanta...( read more)stic story, it has everything!
    One of my favourite movies ever.

    "Do you like me now?"
  • October 22, 2009
    Johnny Depp character wa a jerk! Although he did it for good moral reason!

Critic Reviews


March 10, 2006
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

As the character grows sicker and quieter, the drama's energy fades. full review

March 10, 2006
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Stinkers this rapturously self-assured don't come along often, and when they do, they deserve to be honored with the proper giggling disbelief. full review

March 9, 2006
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

It is Depp, as the debauched and decaying Restoration rake, who holds the camera. It's a strong, sturdy performance, but one that asks more of the audience than it might be possible to give. full review

March 9, 2006
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

You will not like the Second Earl of Rochester. But you will not be able to take your eyes from him. Having made his bed, he does not hesitate to sleep in it. full review

November 28, 2005
Kyle Smith, New York Post

This film isn't pretty, but it has some kick: It is to Shakespeare in Love what wild pheasant is to Chicken McNuggets. full review

November 21, 2005
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

The second half, especially, grows dour and maundering, and by the end the movie seems to flail in desperation, more like a work in progress than like a finished piece. full review

November 14, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Depp is a raunchy wonder, especially in a time-capsule-worthy opening monologue. full review

View more The Libertine reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • WrellikW
    August 10, 2008
    A dark movie, but a good one!

    Take care all,
    William
    Zzzzzoooommmmmm!

    "It is easy to be brave, from a distance." -American Indian Proverb-
  • bobbybear4
    March 19, 2008
    IF YOU NEVER SEEN IT YOU SHOULD . MADE ME WARE GLASSES LOL HE WAS SO HANDSOME.IN IT BUT ITS NOT FOR EVERONE EACH TO HIS OWEN I SAY. FOR ME THE LIBERTINE WAS HOT.AND SAD.AND I TAPED IT.
  • ldycat2006
    October 1, 2007
    I found it quite provacative. A little slow moving, but shows a man in torment of soul and spirt, not having any real love in his life, finding other ways to fill the void, and hurting anything that got too close to him 1st, before it can hurt him. This finally made an end of himself. The STDs got the better of him, back then there were no medicines to cure, and it ate him alive.
  • xxxxxxxxxxxxxx999999
    August 9, 2007
    i rlly did like it alot...
    my cousin thought it was rlly boring but its probably because he dosnt understand the english language and what went on back in those days. i really liked johnnys preformance in this movie but its not because he got to have sex with many women...hahaha. but the fact that hes such a brilliant actor and he can make any character possible.
    a relly great movie. =)
  • xxxxxxxxxxxxxx999999
    June 20, 2007
    i wanna c it rlly rlly bad but im not allowed. my mom says it too "raunchy". screw you mother!!!lol
    peas add me
    thanx
  • chrissy4141
    June 9, 2007
    in my opinion this was an incredibly messed up movie!!!!!!! but everyone was a good actor in it
  • gothicpixie101
    April 14, 2007
    I loved this movie! Once again Johnny has set himself in a role that no one could've played better. For those of you that thought it was slow, or boring, and even confusing, please watch again, or at least understand a bit of history on the times depicted in the film. Please don't compare Jack to Edward. That's just not right.
  • Dannille
    February 7, 2007
    A few days ago I had a chance to watch this movie. I have to say it wasn't really what I thought it would be. It had a great story line although I thought Johnny Depps part could have been a little more defined in some ways. I enjoyed and found the play he wrote to be quite funny and it is to bad it had to end darn king anyways. Towards the end is where I felt the details should have been added and things abit more clearer although that is my opinon. Johnny Depp and all the actors played great parts in this film..Plus the beginning the prologue was fantasitc... If you love poetry, and dirty little plays .. you should watch this movie..
  • Ish678
    December 12, 2006
    This is possibly one of Johnny Depp's finest acting performances in my opinion. The scene where he is drunk and wets himself, and then has an argument with his wife is absolutely amazing. It's a shame this film seemed to go unnoticed when it came out.
  • raeltang
    December 10, 2006
    I agree! It's not the same as any other Johnny Depp performance. There are similarities (very small) between Jack and John (such as their desire to go against the rules) but Johnny plays the two differently and in context!

    Also take into consideration that the movie itself is a little slow, which would explain why the character seemed boring. He was actually, i thought, the only character with any kind of adventure to him, so in contrast to the other characters, i would say that John was the most exciting!

    Anyway, our opinions about the acting doesn't change the fact that the movie is excellent and very arty (no wonder it had such a small cinema release)

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
    I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (14%)
  • Finding Neverland
    Finding Neverland (47%)
  • Sleepy Hollow
    Sleepy Hollow (100%)
  • Quills
    Quills (100%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Libertine : Watch Free on TV


The Libertine Trivia


  • What movie is this quote from? "Allow me to be frank at the commencement. You will not like me. The gentlemen will be envious and the ladies will be repelled. You will not like me now and you will like me a good deal less as we go on."  Answer »
  • Which two movies do Tom Hollander and Johnny Depp both star in?  Answer »
  • Name the actor ~ Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (PG-13, 2006) The Libertine (R, 2006) Deep Sea 3D (G, 2006) Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (PG, 2005)  Answer »
  • apart from pirates of the caribbean 1 & 2, what other film has jack davenport starred opposite johnny depp?  Answer »

Most Popular Skin