The star of some of the most successful American films in recent history, Johnny Depp is also one of Hollywood’s most versatile and enigmatic actors. From Edward Scissorhands, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, Ed Wood, and Donnie Brasco to his Oscar-nominated performances in Pirates of the Caribbean and Finding Neverland, his film roles have always been unconventional, earning him international respect and adoration. In Johnny Depp: A Kind of Illusion, film journalist Denis Meikle looks at the effects that Depp’s rising critical and commercial stature may have on the direction of his career, including his latest films—Rum Diary, Corpse Bride, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and Pirates of the Caribbean 2.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Back in the 1980s, while desperately trying to shake the teen idol image of his 21 Jump Street success, Johnny Depp immersed himself in a small part as a marine grunt in Oliver Stone's Platoon. His best work ended up on the cutting room floor, but he would soon get more chances to showcase his talent. Film historian Meikle (A History of Horrors, etc.) tells the story of the young man from Kentucky by way of Depp's more than two dozen films. A musician and a fan of Beat writers, Depp cultivated his rebel persona and became the only teen actor from A Nightmare on Elm Street to become widely recognized. Meikle portrays Depp as a contemporary of Sean Penn who rarely seemed to "sell out" and who bristled at comparisons to Dean and Brando. Yet the author does not fawn over his subject, and even criticizes Depp for backpedaling on his critique of the 2003 Iraq War. While adequately covering Depp's various romances with female celebrities, Meikle takes more time to explicate Depp's films. His main objective seems to be showing how Depp pursued and survived a "polarized cinematic career" to become a movie icon and an unlikely leading man. This, as the book suggests, occurred most prominently in Edward Scissorhands. There are no earth-shattering conclusions here, but that's just as well, since part of Depp's appeal lies in wondering what he will do next. 32 color photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From the Publisher
The star of some of the most original American films in recent history, Johnny Depp is also one of Hollywood’s most versatile and enigmatic stars. From Edward Scissorhands, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, Ed Wood, and Donnie Brasco to his Oscar–nominated turn as the swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean—his film roles have always been unconventional, earning him international respect and adoration. In Johnny Depp: A Kind of Illusion, film journalist Denis Meikle looks at the effects that Depp’s rising critical and commercial stature may have on the direction of his career, including his forthcoming films—Rum Diary, Diving Bell, Butterfly, and Pirates of the Caribbean 2. Denis Meikle is the author of A History of Horrors, Jack the Ripper: The Murders and the Movies, and Vincent Price: The Art of Fear.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
This book is the illusion,
By Mazzy D. (New York) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Johnny Depp: A Kind of Illusion (Hardcover)
I'm not really sure why a writer would make the decision to write a book on someone whose films he didn't particularly care for. It starts off quite well with an interesting look at Depp's family history but then takes a downward turn. Each film Johnny has appeared in since the start of his career is criticized one at a time (except for perhaps Blow in which the author manages to scrounge up a positive thought or two-WOW). Not to mention that there are glaring typos and random errors that any well versed Depp fan/historian would pick up in a heartbeat (The Arizona Dream 12 minute wedding sequence was not Paul's, it was Axel's for goodness sake!)
And what is this illusion that the author speaks of? Why, it's the idea that perhaps Depp and his agent Tracey Jacobs have managed to fool us all by marketing his personality in order to make him who he is today. Funny, and here I thought his success might have something to do with his gift for transforming into the various characters he has played over the years. But what do I know. I'm just a brainless fan. And this book is definitely not fan friendly. In conclusion, this book is more suitable for someone who wishes to learn the "fine art" of becoming a film critic. I'm sorry I didn't know all this beforehand.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Denis Meikle: A Kind of DElusion,
By
This review is from: Johnny Depp: A Kind of Illusion (Hardcover)
I agree with everything Mazzy D said.
This one did start out as a pretty straightforward bio, but as I went along, and it focused on his films and his romances, there came the revelation that this author did not want you to like Johnny Depp, and it's full of misquotes and rumor. He seems to go out of his way to find the most unflattering reviews and he seems to be bringing down almost all of the films and everyone involved in them (in particular poor Tim Burton)! Occassionally he'll put a positve comment in there for good measure, but Denis Meikle is a verbose, sef-absorbed charletan. beware: There's money to be made for anyone and everyone to write rubbish and ride along the crest of Johnny's tidal wave of current success. I'm glad I did not purchase this book!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't be Fooled-------,
This review is from: Johnny Depp: A Kind of Illusion (Paperback)
What a waste of my money! As others have stated, the somewhat detailed "history" of Johnny's family is interesting. However, once the reader gets to his films, it's basically a criticism of Johnny and every film he has done. This is just another author making money from Johnny Depp's name under the guise of being an expert on the actor. A much better read is Johnny Depp by Christopher Heard. This is an author who actually "gets" Johnny Depp and provides more details about his life/movies that are accurate and not opinionated like Meikle.
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