Jul 05, 2009 02:21 AM
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So Don Juan DeMarco is a romantic comedy. But the "romcom" label fails to do it justice.
Johnny Depp plays a suicidal man who believes he is the greatest lover in the World. He enters an institution and Marlon Brando is the doctor on the brink of retirement who takes on the case. The interaction between these characters is a delight and as their relationship develops it is clear that the doctor is being treated by his patient. As he listens to the stories of romantic conquest from Don Juan the doctor begins to question his own relationship with his long standing and long suffering wife(Faye Dunaway).
So in fact, it is that rarest of movies, a romantic comedy with a little depth. Beneath this light and beautifully acted piece there is some attempt to tell us more about ourselves and our relationships. The pace of the movie is well judged and its slightly serious intent is tempered by plenty of observational comedy. There is plenty to charm here and the excellent cast take the credit.
Naturally it is a great movie to watch as a couple; most romcoms are. But I suspect it has a broader appeal and it could be the type of movie you could watch again and again on DVD. Certainly it is a "feel good" movie and perhaps we need a few more of these at the moment.
