Depp's Todd: Anti-Hero or Comic Villain?

I've been faced with my own dilemma, as well as debates with friends, after seeing Burton's film adaptation of Sondheim's masterpiece SWEENEY TODD.

Overall, the film thrilled me to pieces, as this is one of my favorite musicals and Sweeney is indeed my number one dream role. I greatly enjoyed, despite the cuts (that seemed necessary), the film - with the exception of Depp's portrayal of the Demon Barber. I am still giddy over Helena Bonham Carter's portrayal of Mrs. Lovett - one that I truly hope will be remembered at the awards shows this year!

However, I'm a little distressed as to my feeling that this Sweeney is simply not a tragic hero. Yes, we can all admit he is crazed, a demon of sorts. But what is the point of sitting through it if we can't root him on, cross our fingers in giddy anticipation for each slicing, especially the Beadle's and Judge Turpin's? I must admit, and I've spoken to a few others who agree, but mostly people who think I'm nuts, that I find Depp's barber to be a little too villainous and a little too character-ish/comical to be the center of this epic musical surrounded around vengeance. I was outraged that he killed Mrs. Lovett, an act I knew very well was coming, because I fell so madly in love with Carter's Lovett. I ached for her, finally seeing an actress tackle just how madly in love with Benjamin Barker Mrs. Lovett indeed is.

Does anyone else here have an opinion on this? I'm curious to hear all your thoughts.

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Also, greatly enjoyed all of the supporting players, especially the incredible talented young Toby. How thrilling to see the part portrayed by such a young man! Really added a lot to the piece, I think.

Updated On: 12/23/07 at 12:39 AM

I don't know whether he was a tragic hero or comic villain or whatever he was... what I do know is that he was brilliant. I'm not even a Johnny Depp fan, at least I wasn't until seeing SWEENEY... I don't think anyone could have done a better job than he did. I thought he was perfect.

Ah! I just had a week-long discussion in my literature course relating to anti-heros. Although the wiki article is very brief on their qualities, many literary journals almost combine the two terms- in that the anti-hero is someone who is doomed to fail do to their own actions, as opposed to the tragic hero, who simply has a flaw. However, these journals also define the anti-hero as someone sort of bumbling, clumsy, and overall pretty stupid. Still, Sweeney falls from his actions, and these secondary traits don't always come into play (ala Tony Soprano). I'd classify him as an anti-hero, as his actions are his undoing, and he is the focal point of the story, so he should be classified as a protagonist.

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