Review: 'Libertine' may shock easily offended viewers

That’s how Samuel Johnson described John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester.

Johnson ignores the fact Rochester (he’s referred to by title rather than surname) also wrote great – if pornographic – poetry. He sought pure truth while skewering the pompous, the political and even the rational figures of his day in a manner later made popular by Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Bill Hicks.

Laurence Dunmore’s directorial debut, “The Libertine” also focuses on Rochester’s bad habits rather than talents as a writer, but it includes a love story between the lothario and the woman who nearly tamed him.

Rochester’s ways with the ladies are legendary, and who better to play him than the fine actor and beautifully handsome Johnny Depp? There is very little graphic sex in the film, but there is plenty of talk about it and plenty of drunken debauchery. That said, it’s a good movie.

The opening monologue sets the mood for what is to come as Depp begins with the enticing lines, “You will not like me. You will not like me now, and you will like me a good deal less as we go on.”

The tale is set in the late 1600s, the Puritanical age has ended, King George II (John Malkovich) is on the throne, and Merry Old England is merry, indeed. Wine, women and song (or theater) is the order of the day – excessive amounts of all.

After being banished to the countryside by King George, Rochester is summoned back to London by his majesty. The king wants Rochester to take his rightful seat in the House of Lords where he can make eloquent speeches to persuade the House to let George have his way.

Rochester, who is married to Elizabeth Malet (Rosamund Pike) has other ideas. First is a visit to the pub, and then it’s off to any and every brothel, bordello and whorehouse in London. And of course, they must go to the theater.

Rochester’s eye is caught by a fairly untalented actress named Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton). He sees something in her, and she thinks she knows what it is. But much to our surprise – and I’m sure to his own – it’s not sex. The earl is touched by Elizabeth and says if she will be the student, he will teach her to act.

Morton does a great job here as she must act like a bad actress and then gradually get better.

Meanwhile, the king wants Rochester to write an eloquent play to impress the French ambassador upon his arrival in England. Rochester assures him it will be a thing of beauty.

It turns out to be pornographic and anti-monarchy.

Outraged, the king stops the performance. Rochester and one of his friendly prostitutes go on the run.

The king finally catches up with Rochester, and he decides the worst punishment of all is to let the earl live, because by this time, Rochester’s body is racked by syphilis.

There’s a final scene in the House of Lords that offers some redemption, and Depp plays it well.

If you have the desire for more information about John Wilmot, the Second Earl of Rochester, check out www.ealasaid.com/fan/rochester/main.html. It’s a great resource and provided much information for this review.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician. He can be reached by e-mail at info@wunderlesound.com or on his Web site, www.wunderlesound.com.