Jamie passion and passionfruit!

Sondheim’s musical turned into film and a dark one at that, by Tim Burton.  Remarkably effective and one of Burton’s best films matching and surpassing Mamma Mia for getting non-singing actors to sustain a musical. There is plenty of gore and revenge but the tightness of the music and the flow of wonderful Burtonesque images make it captivating.  Johnny Depp is once again most effective in the lead role and Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs Lovett gives an excellent performance. Alan Rickman, Sacha Baron Cohen and Timothy Spall are among a fine supporting cast and finally Dante Ferretti’s sets and design top off the work.

For the violence, maybe I could not say that this is my favourite type of film but there is no doubting that the final product here is a superior film musical and one of the best movies of the year.

****+