In defense of Depp

I read a review of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the Philippine Star today. This is my mildly miffed reaction.

The Star writer criticized the movie for "bastardizing" Johnny Depp. Sheesh. Just because he doesn't look drop dead gorgeous, he's being "bastardized"?? That's what's so great about Depp, he refuses to be boxed in by the romantic hero stereotype, and I applaud him for taking on a wide variety of roles that shows his range as an actor (scissor-handed freak, sexy gypsy, scruffy pirate, sensitive playwright, strange recluse, etc.). A true actor will not let his ego or inhibitions get in the way of transforming into a character. If you call that "bastardizing" then I’m calling Depp one heckuva talented bastard.

The writer went on to compare Depp’s Willy Wonka to Michael Jackson (I already conceded to the Jacko resemblance in my previous post), and Gene Wilder’s Wonka in the first film adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Please. The “classic” movie isn’t the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Admittedly Depp’s Wonka was not an accurate representation of the hilarious character Roald Dahl created in his lovely book, but neither was Wilder’s Wonka a faithful portrait of the eccentric chocolatier. He shouldn’t be the standard against which Depp’s new Wonka is measured.

Oh, and the writer also said that the movie “screwed up” the Oompa-Loompas. Honey, the Oompa-Loompas are weird and sinister, any which way they’re portrayed. They’re seriously screwed up to begin with, so there’s really very little damage you can further inflict on them.