The Depth of Depp

Johnny DeppJohnny Depp is soon to star as criminal John Dillinger, an infamous, swaggering outlaw that will be stepping onto his rightful spot on the silver screen. And therein the point of interest. Depp has played almost every conceivable role known to the entertainment business, and now, at age 46 when many actors begin fading into the recesses of oblivion, or fall into type cast roles Johnny is just as strong as he has ever been.

A look back over his career is stunning at first glance, although not in terms of his awards. The distinguishing factor about Depp is his filmography. He has played in Platoon, a film which is widely regarded as perhaps one of the greatest war movies of all time, in the role of Lerner. Paradoxically, he went on to star in the movie Cry Baby, a 1990's spoof of 50's teen musicals, in which he did an about face from Platoon and whipped out his comedic side, not to mention his singing abilities.

In the same year, he starred in Edward Scissorhands, another film which in essence had no traits of character resembling that of Cry Baby. The film noir then went on to become a cult classic, and one of the most daunting tales of love ever created.

The discrepancies in Depp's roles continued as he went on to star in several other soon-to-be classics until incarnated the role of Raoul Duke, in the 1998 hallucinogenic philosophic comedy based on Hunter S. ThompsonHunter S. Thompson's Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas. Once again, Depp, unlike many other actors, found himself incarnating a role he never had before, as the quick talking drug takin bon-vivant journalist on a quest for the American Dream with the help of mescaline, of course.

He tried his hand at horror, which unsurprisingly, he once again played to a tee in the film The Astronauts Wife (1999) a truly terrifying Hitchcock style flick of nearly unbearable suspense and mounting intensity.

His role as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean is perhaps his longest commitment to one character, but his undeniably style and candor as everyone's favorite pirate makes this more than a prime role. But of course, as mentioned before, long term commitment to captain Jack did not keep him from extending his reach into other genres, such as his roles in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and his contribution to Tim BurtonTim Burton's The Corpse Bride as the voice of Victor.

Perhaps noticeable amidst all of this is his work with certain people, Tim Burton of course being a stand out return client of Depp's. Although one can't get too hooked on it, since when Johnny Depp acts a character, he is that character, and not himself, as is the problem with many other actors.

Surprisingly, he has not won an Oscar yet, although it is likely that he should have long before now. Perhaps it can be noted though that this is a testament to his determination and love for acting, and the reason for his tremendous success, if not on the podium, then surely for lovers of cinema everywhere.

So when you go to watch Dillinger rob banks, don't expect to see Depp transpired at all... you will see Dillinger, and no one else. Such is the capability of this master of the silver screen.