Part of the problem is the fact that Sweeney Todd is actually quite a political play, and this possibly doesn't really come out in the film. The other problem is lots of things possibly work far better with a live audience, and Burton may not have found a way of building that relationship with a cinema audience.
Apparently, because she was pregnant, Bonham-Carter's breasts were a continuity nightmare - I was engrossed enough not to notice.
Sweeney Todd is a strong score - it's just not your hummable song - and sadly, they cut The Ballad of Sweeney Todd - which is what the audience tends to come out humming from the play.
Pip and I had a conversation about this on the way over to Mancs. I hadn't realised it was a musical rendition. I love the dark nature of Burtons films and I'll be watching this one, if only for the cinematography and the dark nature of the subject.
A musical it ain't. There are no sing-a-long songs or any that stay in your memory for any longer than the song itself. It is a movie where most of the talking is accompanied by music - I wouldn't even call it singing in places - be warned - and I am not a naysayer - I just didn't think it worked effectively that's all - the movie without singing would have been dark, sinister and brilliant - if not for the gore alone!
* Sneeks this one in when Claudio is off-line as I know how passionate he is about the film and the cinematology - the scenery is really good and the virtual tour of London by CGI is very authentic.
