Where to watch Mortdecai
1 Star
At year’s end, I’m positive that Mortdecai will not only make my own personal Top Ten worst of list but, will also unanimously appear on every other critics’ as well. This is a supremely silly action-comedy that astonishes as it moves along its convoluted plot and gibberish laden script. Apparently based on a series of books by Kyril Bonfiglioli, Johnny Depp inhabits the title role of a buffoon art collector called on by Mi-5 to unravel the of plot a missing Goya.
Sporting an unsightly set of bad teeth and a ridiculous moustache, much to the chagrin of his wife Johanna (Gwyneth Paltrow), Lord Charlie Mortdecai (Depp) is a man indebted to the government for eight million in back taxes. This unfortunate financial situation compels the arrogant aristocrat to take on a case helping Agent Alistair Martlan (Ewan McGregor) in retrieving a missing Spanish masterwork, seemingly stolen from the residence of a distinguished restorer.
I’m not sure who thought there would be an audience for this? It’s neither funny enough to be a comedy nor competent enough to act as a satirical farce. The moments of physical humor fall flat and out of the top-notch cast, only Depp proves capable of finding mild success in flipping some verbal puns into audience grins. Mortdecai serves as another puzzling addition to the eccentric film cannon of the immensely talented Johnny Depp. An actor who’s choices are starting to resemble the erratic appearances of Marlon Brando.
Director: David Koepp
Stars: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor