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December 26, 2007

Context

Sweeney Todd is a pretty good filmed musical; Johnny Depp is particularly awesome.

I was surprised to find out that I knew two of the songs from the musical, having never seen it before. Both "Pretty Women" and "Not While I'm Around" appear on Barbra Streisand's Broadway Album ... which I listened to approximately 423 times between ages nine and eleven.

Not While I'm Around was something of a lullabye in my memory. As sung by Barbra, it's a maternal promise to protect and love. Somewhat surprising then to find out the original is sung by a young boy to his adoptive, malevolent mother. She later reprises the song in an attempt to lure the boy out of hiding and to his doom.

Life was more innocent with Babs.

5 comments:

Michelle said...

I appreciate the title of your post. I think that the context of our lives helps us construct meaning about the lyrics of any song...regardless of the context as defined by the songwriter.

goldman said...

The perfect accompaniment to this post ... Not While I'm Around as sung my Neil Patrick Harris.

Dgcopter said...

Another good song from Sweeney Todd: Johanna.

So, yeah, there are a couple of good things about that show. Still, I find it hard to forget that it's a musical about a mass-murdering barber. It's kind of like making a musical about the Vietnam War or the French Revolution ... oh, wait...

Dgcopter said...

Also, I just saw the Sweeney Todd movie, and I thought it was, quite possibly, one of the worst films I've ever seen. And I've seen some shitty films.

I actually went in hoping (even expecting) I was going to like it. I mean, I love Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman as much as the next guy, but even with them acting up a storm, I was continually distracted and annoyed by the godawful performances of whoever the fuck that guy was that played Anthony and the chick who played Johanna. Not to mention the grating and terrible voice of that fucking kid (the "not while I'm around" one). Oh. my. god. Almost as bad as the kiddie Cosette. Also, Sacha Baron Cohen was just ... terrible. I mean, that fucking costume. To quote my girlfiend, "I felt like his package was following me around the room".

On the plus side, they cut out just about the entire Anthony-Johanna story, so those two assholes weren't on screen much. On the down side, the musical makes even less sense without their plot. The movie is just an excuse for people to swoon over Johnny doing a British accent while gallons of fake blood spurt everywhere.

So yeah, I'm pissed. I want my money back.

portorikan said...

I agree with dgcopter, Sweeney Todd was pure ca-ca.

It was just a horrible musical to sit through and watch. I'd like to know what about it I'm missing.

That kid was a wee bit annoying as well.