The Libertine finally makes it to the big screen, having sat on the shelf for over a year (never a good sign - particularly when Johnny Depp is topping the bill). Stephen Jeffrey's adapts his own play - wherein Depp, stars in what I suppose could be considered a biopic about the life and decadent times of John Wilmot the second earl of Rochester. Wilmot was a hedonistic, bourgeoisie poet and playwright who exploited his social station in order to indulge his every erotic whim. Perhaps the original progenitor of the "if it feels good do it" ethos, he treats seventeenth century England as his own carnal playground, cavorting and fornicating with about any creature willing.

John Malkovich is King Charles II, a friend and fan of the earls work who employs him for playwright skills. Their relationship is often rocky as Wilmot's reckless plume offends about everyone around him - insulting royalty as well as testing the boundaries of human decency.

The earl seeks pleasure everywhere and in every form, regularly insults his fellow royals and their wives with impunity - still as bent as he is on doing and writing whatever he pleases, he understands the necessity of staying in the good favor of those whose influence is greater than his own.

There are moments where Wilmot's exploits are somewhat entertaining, but there is a gloominess, both in the look of the film and the direction of the overly talky narrative that mires the film in ways that are not intentional. The film comes off so flat that even the scenes of sexual debauchery lack anything resembling eroticism. In fact as Wilmot's venereal disease progresses if the film works at all, it's as a cautionary argument for abstinence and monogamy.

Right before we see the ultimate decline of Wilmot he meets Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton) whom the earl admits is truly bewitching because of her sheer intelligence. Though his relationship with her may have been his only hope at halting his spiraling tailspin, Wilmot seems somehow defeated by her and takes solace in retreating to whores and drink - even as his body deteriorates from disease and excess.

Again there is some amusing wit and humor found here and there amid all the talk and debauchery. Depp however, seems uncharacteristically unable to get inside this character and shine any light on what makes him tick. Which is both disappointing and surprising given his penchant for taking damaged souls and dismantling the demons at their core. Ordinarily this is the sort of character that allows Depp to really sing as an actor, and I'd have to say that this is among his worst performances.

The set and costume design is good, some of the dialogue is sharp, but the pacing is weak and the direction is as unfocused and soggy as Depp's performance. The earl does not want you to like him, yet insists you hear his mean spirited commentary and views of his world. There is certainly a voyeuristic quality to watching the self-loathing hedonism of Wilmot, the problem however, that the film ultimately fails to address is why on earth we should care.