For many, film is about true escapism; being able to distance yourself from the everyday and find solace in something truly wonderful on screen. For some actors, taking on a new role can be a particularly daunting task, especially when the role is so far away from what you are used to playing, or not exactly the ‘norm’. Often, it is these eccentric and distinctive ‘characters’ that people remember the most, and this is no more evident in the career of Johnny Depp. There is no role too wacky or too unusual that Depp cannot play, and audiences delight in watching his transformation into different characters on screen. With the release of Depp’s latest film, Transcendence, we take a journey back and explore some of his essential roles as an actor, giving you recommendations of what absolute Depp delights you need to watch.
Wielding its way into the list is a 1990 Tim Burton classic; Edward Scissorhands. Depp stars as the titular character, a man-made ‘boy’ whose creator died before he could give Edward the one thing he always wanted – hands. Instead, Edward has a pair of sharp scissor-like contraptions as replacements, and upon a chance meeting with Peg Boggs, moves in with her family in the local suburban area. Depp took the role wanting to break out of a certain teen idol status that he had acquired - and certainly succeeded – as his performance as the slightly naive, misunderstood but loving character garnered praise from critics and audiences alike (earning him a nomination for the 1990 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Comedy). Not to mention his romantic but tragic on screen relationship with Winona Ryder (who portrayed Kim) was heart-breaking and touching.
1993 brought the arrival of the show-stopping drama, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, with Depp once again in the title role as Gilbert Grape. Adapted from the novel of the same name, Depp starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio (who portrayed Arnie Grape) as the two portrayed their respective characters with such finesse. Depp was able to convey the multitude of emotions and hardships facing Gilbert, whilst DiCaprio portrayed Arnie perfectly, managing to make all of Arnie’s quirks highly believable. It was this role as Gilbert that truly cemented that Depp had a real talent for film acting, and one that is truly memorable, and a must-see for any person wishing to delve into Depp’s work.
Possibly one of Depp’s most known (and rightfully loved) roles is that of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series of films. Exploding onto screens in 2003, audiences got to see Depp playing a swash-buckling pirate who is so eccentric in his mannerisms, and who prefers to use his extensive vocabulary to solve problems (that he has usually gotten himself into). The films, inspired by the Disney Theme park ride, showcase Sparrow at his best, and Depp emerges himself in the role, creating a character that is so distinguished and identifiable that you forget that he doesn’t actually exist. But don’t worry, if you haven’t yet seen Depp as his pirate character, then you may get to see him in 2016, in the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film; Dead Men Tell No Tales.
An adaptation of Sondheim’s musical, the 2007 film saw Depp once again taking centre stage and playing the title character of Sweeney Todd, a falsely charged and sentenced man who is sentenced to a penal colony so a corrupt Judge Turpin can pursue Todd’s wife. Severely angered and bitter, Todd (previously known as Benjamin Barker) escapes 15 years later and returns (finding out that his wife is dead, having committed suicide after being raped by Turpin, and his daughter is facing similar advancements by Turpin), rowing revenge on those who have wronged his family. Starring opposite Depp are Helena Bonham Carter (who plays Mrs. Lovett) and Alan Rickman (who plays the dastardly Turpin), all giving remarkable performances as their respective characters, with Depp once again shining as the lead.
Currently the sixteenth highest grossing film of all time, 2010’s Alice in Wonderland saw Depp don a Ginger wig, dishevelled hat and creepy make-up to portray the slightly deranged Mad Hatter, and what a performance it was. Inspired by the Lewis Carroll novel, newcomer Mia Wasikowska starred opposite Depp as Alice, along with Helena Bonham Carter, (who played the Red Queen) Anne Hathaway (White Queen) and more. Depp portrayed his character similar to that of a mood ring, with multiple shades and personalities surfacing throughout the film, highlighting his talent as an actor, and his performance was one of the most notable (and redeeming factors of the film).