Helena Bonham Carter To Star as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd Film — Page 6

I can understand the argument that the show is already preserved, but unless the changes Burton chooses to make are to form the movie into a specific artistic vision that he believes will work for a movie, I kind of wish he would either not remove that much of the music or just do a non-musical version. I bet it will be a fascinating film to watch, however it turns out, though.

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Well, I'm not a huge Tim Burton fan, but he has a strong visual style and film asthetic, which is what you need for a movie of SWEENEY TODD.

I was more intrigued by some of the rumoured casting decisions when Sam Mendes was attached, but you could just as easily speculate that his movie treatment could have ended up too literal or passive (like THE ROAD TO PERDITION).

Burton will certainly do something interesting with the material. Whether it will make a *good* or *right* version of Sondheim's musical remains to be seen.

I think Madonna was fantastic as Evita and I do agree with Michael Bennett that the problem with the film was Alan Parker's direction. He had brilliant moments in it as well as bad ones (such as cutting away from your lead just as she sings "Don't Cry for Me Argentina". The film's narrative should've have also been fleshed out but we have ALW to blame for that since he didn't want too many changes to his baby.

Likewise, we know Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick can be good actors but Stro's direction in The Producers film was wrong for the medium.

That said, in an interview I saw with Danny Elfman, he mentioned that when an artist finds people he can collaborate with and share the same vision, you stick with those people. He was talking about Tim Burton ofcourse. And while Helena being cast as Mrs. Lovett is a tad disappointing (probably bec. she has been a quirky actress), she is still a good actress with a good track record. I for one can't wait to see her in Harry Potter (but that's another story).

I think Tim Burton is the right man for this property. It's right up his alley yet different enough that he can try something different from his past films (which hopefully, he'll do). I don't really care if Sweeney merchandise makes it to Hot Topic. I can only wish that other Broadway musicals can get as much exposure. It sure would make it easier to get "Spamalot" action figures or "Light in the Piazza" nightlights if that was the case.

Other than that, I'm excited to see this movie. Sure, it can be totally screwed up like a few of the recent movie musicals. But he can also surprise us and come up with a gem (besides, die-hard Broadway fans will never be happy with any movie adaptation anyway).

She'll be good, but I'm so disappointed. Some of the rumors (Streep, Staunton, Lauper) were unbearably tantalizing, and who do we get? The person who we should have expected in the first place!

I actually liked Madonna in EVITA (the ONLY time I liked her in a movie)

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Best - my fear along those lines is that they beef up the horror/gore aspect of it - as that certainly seems to be something people respond to.

Not Suprised at all that she is in the film, but I would have much prefered her as the beggar woman.

Good luck to them.

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An "e" in awful makes ME cry!

"An "e" in awful makes ME cry!"

Really? Sounds like someone needs a life.

It's not all about money. What happened to quality?

Quality is dependant on the quantity of money.

"Dancer in the Dark" made me want to pluck out my eyes and stuff them in my ears."

HAHA A lot of people did not like it. Let's not forget that most of these films make their money back thanks to DVD sales/rentals.