With so much danger revolving around this mysterious volume of devilish protocol, it's amazing that Johnny Depp's character makes it past the middle of the film , but then if he didn't , there wouldn't be a film right ? And this , as every single person within a fingertip of him comes to an untimely death . But aside from the gaping plot flaws , this film is still watchable because of Depp . While you find yourself rooting for him , you never quite believe in his ethics , and his real motives are always in doubt . Frank Langella's role is deliciously dark at first but dissolves in a befuddling ending sequence where his great mastery of his faculties inexplicably falls apart . There is so much potential in this film that it's hard not to be disappointed at the finished result , and I believe Polanski has tried here to be too thoughtful and mysterious instead of quickening the storyline and expanding the characters which he could have done. It seems to apply to many movies lately but...........oh what could have been! Mjc
Review of The Ninth Gate
