Something of a misfiled credit for Roman Polanski & Johnny Depp, and you’ll see why. Less miss than bunt, this proto DA VINCI CODE/’06 (not seen here) is a bibliographic thriller: religious antiquities division, that sends Depp’s rare books huckster on an international chase to locate the two other copies of a 17th Century Satanic tome owned by eccentric billionaire Frank Langella. (Golly, why would anyone need all three exiting copies of a book published in 1666 about the Devil?) Each stop leaves someone dead in Depp’s wake while former book owner/Devil worshipper Lena Olin tries to one-up Langella, and feral-looking Emmanuelle Seigner acts as Depp’s scary Godmother. Presumably, Polanski was hoping for a ROSEMARY’S BABY vibe, but now seems a little embarrassed by the supernatural element. (Even more by some unconvincing studio mockup sets for Manhattan shops & apartments.) He’s much happier shooting handsome Euro-clubby earth-toned interiors that perfectly match all those leather book bindings. Even better is the shabby chic costume design Anthony Powell gave Depp. (Depp wears unstructured linen jackets like nobody’s business and generally reminds you what a pleasure he once was to encounter.) It all leaves Polanski with just enough leeway to play Peck’s Bad Boy with a few signature touches of grotesque humor.
SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: No doubt, Polanski’s modest level of involvement helped him recharge for his next film, THE PIANIST/’02.
DOUBLE-BILL: As mentioned, if you want Polanski Meets the Devil, it’s ROSEMARY’S BABY/’68.
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