The reviews are in… and they’re a bit merde! Critics brand Johnny Depp’s comeback movie Jeanne Du Barry ‘a right royal disappointment’ despite actor attempting to speak French while playing King Louis XV
Johnny Depp graced the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in France on Tuesday for the world premiere of his French language film Jeanne Du Barry.
The movie has become known as Johnny’s comeback production after his victory over ex-wife Amber Heard in a defamation trial.
Actor Johnny, 59, was seen on the big screen for the first time in three years at the premiere as it was released the same day in cinemas in France.
He plays King Louis XV in the project, with the star looking regal in previously released promo images which were released back in January.
And the film has brought about a mixed bag of reviews, with some critics impressed by his French spoken word, while others said it was ‘great to see Depp in subtle and quiet mode’.
Comeback: Johnny Depp’s film Jeanne Du Barry has brought about a mixed bag of reviews, with some critics impressed by his French spoken word, while others offered differing views
In character: He plays King Louis XV in the project, with the star looking regal in previously released promo images which were released back in January
The Daily Telegraph’s Robbie Collin wrote: ‘True, his French is not too shabby, but his regal gravitas is nonexistent, and he only truly looks at home in the role during occasional bouts of clowning, which hardly help sell his casting as an inspired choice.
‘Depp is hardly the first Hollywood outcast to find work in Europe, but it would be a stretch to say this feels like the first spark of a glorious comeback.’
While The Evening Standard’s Jo-Ann Titmarsh wrote that it was ‘great to see Depp in subtle and quiet mode — more Colonel Joll of and less Jack Sparrow — and in French to boot.’
Noting that Johnny makes a good Louis XV, Jo-Ann added the film ‘is a right royal disappointment’ which brought about ‘many yawns’.
Peter Debruge of Variety wrote: ‘For his part, Depp delivers his lines in well-turned French, wearing fine powder and a stiff white wig, and yet he seems strangely uncomfortable in the role — adequate but not especially engaged.
‘Depp’s the kind of player who delivers practically every performance with a wink, so it’s odd that even when his Louis is actually supposed to be winking (at Jeanne), the sparkle isn’t there.’
Ben Croll of IndieWire wrote: ‘Though performing wholly in French and given ample screen time, the American star leaves a strangely scant impression, offering a dim and muted turn that plays off his wider reputation in often fascinating ways.’
The Hollywood Reporter critic Jordan Mintzer said Johnny’s casting ‘offers a few early thrills and then mostly yawns, with Depp dishing out what feels like a total of a dozen lines in respectable French, while otherwise remaining mute.’
Main man: Johnny’s comeback film Jeanne du Barry opened the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, with the actor looking dapper on the red carpet
Regal: Johnny previously appeared as King Louis XV in promo images for his highly-anticipated film which were released back in January
Movie magic: The period piece was shot over the summer 2022. Along with being his career comeback, this also marks Johnny’s first film in French
Moving on: This comes after the 59-year-old actor’s victory over ex-wife Amber Heard in a defamation trial; the former couple are seen in Toronto back in September 2015
‘His performance isn’t bad, and neither is Maïwenn’s in the lead role,’ wrote Jordan. ‘But the two of them, like the movie, rarely get our pulse racing. With all the recent controversy surrounding Depp, not to mention Maïwenn herself, the result of their collaboration is a handsome period piece that feels both flat and shallow, and certainly far from any scandal.
Louis XV reigned over France from 1715 to his death in 1774. He was married to Queen of France, Marie Leczinska but had a number of long-term affairs. Jeanne was his final lover before he died.
The highly-anticipated period piece was shot over the summer and, along with being his career comeback, this also marks Johnny’s first film in French.
According to the synopsis, the story follows ‘Jeanne Vaubernier, a young working-class woman hungry for culture and pleasure [who] uses her intelligence and allure to climb the rungs of the social ladder one by one.’
The plot continues as she ‘becomes the favorite of King Louis XV, who, unaware of her status as courtesan, regains through her his appetite for life.
‘They fall madly in love,’ the synopsis reads. ‘Against all propriety and etiquette, Jeanne moves to Versailles, where her arrival scandalises the court.’
The film also stars Benjamin Lavernhe, Melvil Poupaud, Pierre Richard, Pascal Greggory, and India Hair.
Johnny previously appeared as King Louis XV in promo images for his highly-anticipated film which were released back in January.
The veteran actor looked regal as the French monarch beside co-star/director Maiwenn Le Besco, who plays King Louis’ mistress, Jeanne du Barry.
Instead of his signature brunette locks, Johnny sports silver hair and King Louis’ famous tricorn hats and elaborate royal garb in the images.
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