The Kallistis jointed the Kellyhimes to enjoy an afternoon at the Theater for a showing of “The Libertine.” Gadzooks, I’ve been following this film since production, its many delays, and it is finally over…

“I know he is a Devil, but he has something of the Angel yet undefac’d in him.” — George Etherege
It’s funny, it came off a bit like a deSade. Hard to look at yet compelling. The film starts out with a monologue of Wilmot stating “I don’t want you to like me.” And that is exactly what happens. He’s a difficult one to have sympathy for. His poetry is brilliant yet raw and volatile. He’s someone who started his career as a great wit and the life of the party, he ends up a sad alcoholic, shunned by all for his crazy antics. By the time he would have redeemed himself, by modern standards, he becomes riddled with syphilis and dies at 33. O! The glory and romance of the Olden Days™. The film picks up just before the descent, so it is a rough ride, and not easy on the senses. And apart perhaps from the dwarf riding the gigantic cock across the stage, is fairly accurate.
It is beautifully filmed and staged. It is gritty and done seemingly with natural light, so I was always straining to see. And I love that. It wasn’t pretty, in the traditional costume drama sense.
My one complaint is that both this film, and the surprisingly enjoyable “Stage Beauty,” another Restoration Theater piece, has laid claim to the Birth of Method Acting. WTF!?!?! This really bugs me. Restoration Theater was Restoration Theater… please stop turning it into The Actor’s Studio. Grrrr!
Ondine and I got a little dressed up for the Occasion, I’m clutching my 1777 edition of The Poems of Rochester:



Some of the dialog was a bit long in the tooth, but I really loved it. They touched on many of the big incidents of his career, which was fun for the geek in me. Johnny Depp was brilliant, as were the other players. It lacked sympathy and timing I think, but is definately something I’d own, though not something I’d recommend to all.
And it is just a little bit filthy. Mwowr.