The Ninth Gate [DVD] [1999] [2000]

Good film

I have seen the film and read the book related to the film (the Dumas Club/the Club Dumas - known by both titles). The book's author, Arturo Perez-Reverte describes his main character Lucas Corso (renamed Dean Corso for the film) with a great precision. Bohemian, world weary, a loner and extremely erudite with elements of Johnny Depp (smoking habit/Bohemian) and you can see elements of Johnny Depps adoption of the character portrayed as Arturo sees him. Usually I see either Johnny Depp seeking his own visual personality for characters that are really 'Out There' creating fantastic over the top visual characters such as Willy Wonka/The Mad Hatter/Sweeney Todd/Edward Scissorhands/etc. He also takes on ordinary, real life characters to eccentric roles and still delivers with insight and aplomb. Watching What's eating Gilbert Grape/The Brave/The Libertine/Donnie Brasco/J. M. Barrie have shown extraordinary performances. This guy must have made about 40 films and a lot of them are really enjoyable. After reading the characterisation in the book of Lucas Corso, then reflecting on Johnny Depp's performance in this film, leans towards a job that is well done. I really enjoyed his understated performance. Look a little further into the cult status of this film with the fan base for it and you'll see that the fans seek to decypher the plot and there is a lot of blog analysis on the web regarding the story and content. Interestingly, the use of primary colours, highlighted by someone, made me look out for their inclusions. It adds another dimension to the quirky values. I just enjoyed the film's wonderful atmosphere and have watched it three times now. I see something new after each watching and can connect to the book with fondness. One plus....the film allowed me to seek out Arturo Perez-Reverte's work. So no bad thing as the author has some great books to delve into.

Worth a watch

This is a slow fuse thriller with supernatural overtones rather than a horror movie. In summary, the plot is that unscrupulous rare book hunter Dean Corso (Johnny Depp) is hired by immensely wealthy business tycoon and satanist Boris Balkan (Frank Langella) to authenticate his copy of The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows by seventeenth-century author Aristide Torchia. It is one of only three copies known to exist. According to legend, the book is Torchia's adaptation of an older book written by the Devil himself, which may contain the means to summon the Devil and so attain the reward of invincibility and immortality. Throughout the film Corso is shadowed, and later apparently partnered, by an attractive and mysterious young woman (Emmanuelle Seigner) who has supernatural powers.What makes this film so watchable is the languorous atmosphere that permeates throughout. Everything is familiar, superficially safe yet vaguely threatening. Something is always around the corner but you never quite get to see or understand what it is. You wait for a big jump moment but it never comes. It’s enough to keep most viewers glued to the end but then leaves them asking “was that it?”A film for those who enjoy the journey rather than the destination, if you know what I mean.

If you are not interested in the occult i think this film should possibly be avoided to be honest!!! and i love this movie im just being honest!!however anyone interested in the occult should like this movie ALOT, if you research the occult to the degree anyone into matters of the occult/mysticism SHOULD DO in order to fully understand the dark/light arts philosophy and dynamics/dimensions, then i feel you will sense a familiarity with this topic/story..the only thing i didnt like about this movie was when i listened the Roman P talking -(The directors commentry)-he spoilt some of the magic by revealing a tad too much!! avoid this most directors commentrys are amazing i just wish he wouldnt have told us so much here!! ..however i try to foget what he revealed now but feel its important to warn here-:im talking imagery and sets he reveals here nothing more is spoilt..I think its so well cast, especially the devil and this is played by someone close to Polanski -(i dont want to give to much away)-this character is perfectly cast!!!I never get bored of this movie..WARNING THOUGH: certainly it isnt for everyone i could see that some may find it dull even but for me investiagting the occult is a pure pleasure and interst and delight for me in real life so this film shares my passion in such matters!!!!!! if you arent bothered about the occult and think it pure fantasy then you may well struggle to see the genius or point of this work. it is fantastic though 5 stars for me!!!

This film made the business of rare old books sexy long before the psychopath from the YOU Netflix show and looked at the black arts before Eyes Wide Shut made black silk capes seductive.Based on a book so possesses layers, depth, intrigue and a substantial foundation of research into its subject matter. A very clever film that drops clues all along the way yet provides no answers as you the viewer must use your brain to find the answer.Beautifully filmed in Europe giving a real sense of the place and time. Johnny Depp pushed for this role and gives a wonderfully understated performance as the world weary book detective with a handsome elegance that will surprise those more used to his Captain Jack Sparrow. He even speaks a little French and Spanish and looks extremely comfortable in this world, often more so than than his Hollywood blockbusters.A film to make you think for days or weeks after viewing.