Lord Charles Mortdecai is an oddball, art-loving British aristocrat who has taken fancy to sporting a quirky small handlebar mustache, like generations of Mortdecai men before him, much to the displeasure of his sexy wife Johanna. Because he has fallen into tough financial times because of tax problems, he is desperate for a scheme to earn the needed dough.
One day, an Oxford art restorer working on a rare Goya painting was murdered. Inspector Alastair Martland sought the help of Mortdecai in locating and recovering the lost painting. From there, Mortdecai gets drawn into a madcap adventure which involved ruthless international art aficionados and their goons who were interested not only in the painting, but also the secret code written behind it that supposedly led to a great Nazi treasure.
Star Johnny Depp is coming from three straight films that did not do well in the box office --"Dark Shadows" (2012), "Lone Ranger" (2013) and "Transcendence" (2014). I am afraid this film will not really break this streak of bad luck. He really looked like he was trying too hard and hammy to make this weird character likable. Some jokes may float because of Depp's inherent charm; but sorry to say, a lot of it turned out rather embarrassing to watch.
The only supporting actor who was given a really notable role was Depp's frequent co-star Paul Bettany as Mortdecai's impossibly loyal manservant/driver/bodyguard Jock. He and Depp make a great odd team together. Too bad the jokes about him also get old as they get told over and over too many times.
Gwyneth Paltrow plays Charles' opinionated and independent wife Johanna. Ewan McGregor plays the Inspector Martland, Charles' old friend in college who was and is still infatuated with Johanna. The lovely Olivia Munn had the unfortunate role of being the nymphomaniac daughter of a Los Angeles art collector played by Jeff Goldblum. These stars play basically one-note characters not given too much to do.
On paper, the story may have sounded like it could have been a lot of fun. However, as it was executed onscreen by director David Koepp, the final product did not always hit the right notes. The jokes (many of them off-color and vulgar) were falling flat and coming across as forced at several points (many were repeated to the point of annoyance). On the other hand, I did like the cartoonish way they showed Mordecai's travelling from city to city, old-fashioned as it may seem.
Mortdecai was based on a book trilogy written by English author Kyril Bonfiglioli in the 1970s. This film was adapted from the first book "Don't Point That Gun at Me" published in 1973. Because of the poor result of this first film installment, chances are the other two books will not see cinematic life anymore. 4/10.
now i am intrigued! never knew about this movie, but i love these 2!
ReplyDeleteI think poor Johnny should go back to the Caribbean, as in the Pirates of...,LOL. I like to see all of his movies, but I think I will be bypassing this one.
ReplyDeleteSeen this one a couple of nights ago. And what did I get, I felt sleepy just half an hour pa lang sa film. Very dull and Johnny played a passive role. No action, nevertheless, nice acting job again for Mr. Depp.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like they have a lot of room for improvement. It's a plus that Johnny Depp is in the movie.
ReplyDeleteMortdecai! I've remembered a character in the Bible when I first read it, but then I realized it's mordecai. Anyway, I'm also a Johnny Depp fan so migh also have to check this.
ReplyDeleteive never heard of this film and not sure if its out in the uk. ill need to watch to trailer
ReplyDeleteI must agree with you, even the starry cast including Gwyneth and Johny can't compensate the shallow plot and the lack of genuine humor. A movie I would rather skip watching.
ReplyDeleteIt's really unfunny? Maybe I should have just skip this movie then? I'm thinking to have a great laugh in the cinema..
ReplyDeleteOh no, such a shame about the 4/10 - with such a good cast, you would have thought the film would have been great. As always a great review! Sim
ReplyDeleteOh now I don't know if I still want to watch this or not. Maybe t his movie is only for selected viewers who are really into this kind of movie.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a bummer. I've really appreciated Johnny Depps other movies with weird characters. I agree that this movie wouldn't really help his career all that much.
ReplyDeleteJonny depp is such a sweet heart. Everytime i see him on the tv, it reminds me of his willy wonka get up lol!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I did see the ads flash by my face when it came out and then ... silence! Now I know from you review that it did poorly. Pity!
ReplyDeleteWe also watched this a couple of weeks ago and indeed, some parts are boring, except for the scenes where his bodyguard is shown. He made the movie better in some ways. But with all this said, I still love Johnny Depp :P
ReplyDeleteI haven't even heard about this movie until I saw it on your blog and now I don't think I will be watching this one. You always writes the best honest review :)
ReplyDeleteI was actually surprised by your review because a lot of people on my FB feed actually liked it. I guess it really depends on the viewer, now I'm priming myself for disappointment with those tiring jokes.
ReplyDeleteI was only mildly impressed by it.
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