Travis Simpkins: The Libertine (2004): Johnny Depp as John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Saturday, December 31, 2016

The Libertine (2004): Johnny Depp as John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester

Directed by Laurence Dunmore, The Libertine (2004) provides a cinematic presentation of the debaucherous life of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester (1647-1680). In 17th Century Restoration-period court of King Charles II of England, John Wilmot stands out as a gifted poet with a dangerous propensity towards drink and loose women… when offered a promising commission by the King, Wilmot offends the monarch with his lewd artistic expression and faces exile and a painful death by syphilis. Great attention is offered to historic period detail in both sets and costumes. The cast does a great job, including Johnny Depp as John Wilmot, Rosamund Pike as the Countess of Rochester, Samantha Morton as the actress Elizabeth Barry and John Malkovich as King Charles II.