the fresh films reviews

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The Ninth Gate (1999)

Director:
Roman Polanski
COUNTRY
USA/France/Spain
GENRE
Thriller/Horror
AKA
La neuviéme porte
La novena puerta
RUNNING TIME
133 minutes
Producer:
Roman Polanski
Screenwriter (from a novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte):
John Brownjohn
Roman Polanski
Enrique Urbizu


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Dean Corso Johnny Depp ½
Boris Balkan Frank Langella
Liana Telfer Leno Olin ½
The Girl Emmanuelle Seigner
Baroness Kessler Barbara Jefford

 

Review

The pacing and stylishness of this Roman Polanski thriller is enchanting, as a web of mystique is spun around antique book dealer Johnny Depp. Unfortunately, the script is tedious and self-important. It's the kind of movie that knows it's heading for the cliff, but still keeps going. The dialogue is useful, however, and thanks to this and a few well-directed scenes the movie keeps your interest for a while. Johnny Depp predicts the problems and has some fun with his role.

Copyright © 4.2.2005 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang [HAVE YOUR SAY]