One of the leading internet film critics, James Berardinelli, despised The Ninth Gate. He gave the film one star out of four, calling it "a jaw-droppingly bad mixture of film noir and the occult."

But perhaps it is simply a black comedy that satirizes devil worship. The film's protagonist, a somnolent rare book dealer (Johnny Depp), finds himself enmeshed by his own greed in a web of dangerous intrigue. A handful of ruthless, eccentric millionaires located around the world seek copies of a 17th century manuscript whose engravings may conjure the devil. But what they fail to realize is that the devil may choose his (or her) own company, and not the other way around.

It is true that Depp gives a minimalist performance, while the chief villains (fanatic Satanist book collectors played by Lena Olin, Barbara Jefford and Frank Langella) camp it up. And the film plot and characters can be interpreted in various ways, which seems to draw the wrath of those who want their puzzles to fit into tidy squares.

But keep in mind that 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) doesn't answer all of its questions, either. The Ninth Gate confounds those who want the film to conform to a genre, be it horror, comedy, or mystery. It also irritates those who expect closure from the ending, not understanding that the last minute of a film has only marginal impact on its value.

So far, this review only addresses why The Ninth Gate isn't bad, rather than discussing why it is good. I can't present my own version of the film's interpretation without spoiling it for others, who are unlikely to have seen the film given its mixed reviews and box office.

But I can say that atmosphere is important, that The Ninth Gate has plenty of it, and that it works. The film caters to the 'film noir' genre in that there are femme fatales, even if one of them (played by director Roman Polanski's wife, Emmanuelle Seigner) does seem curiously devoted to Johnny Depp.

It has some similarity to Morricone's westerns, slow-paced affairs that feature colorful villains, a morally dubious protagonist, and an occasional wink to the audience. If the black comedy aspects aren't obvious before, there's no escaping them when the book dealer brothers (both played by Jose Lopez) laughingly confide in Depp that "even Hell has its heroes".

Roman Polanski's masterwork is also a mystery, Chinatown (1974). Beyond that, he is well-known for two horror films, Rosemary's Baby (1968) and Repulsion (1965), not to mention several unfortunate experiences in his personal life.

The difference between The Ninth Gate and the aforementioned films is that the lead is at peace with himself. Depp lacks the anger of Jack Nicholson's gumshoe, and the intense paranoia that surrounded the characters played by Catherine Deneuve and Mia Farrow. In fact, he becomes more relaxed as the film progresses, as he gains confidence that his guardian 'angel' will always show up on time to bail him out of trouble.

Wojciech Kilar's quirky score reflects the lack of tension, becoming ominous during obviously silly moments, and spritely just when things should be becoming more intense.

In a year whose horror box office was dominated by The Sixth Sense, Stigmata and The Blair Witch Project, the best horror films received less attention: The Ninth Gate and Stir of Echoes. While far short of the mark established by the very best of the genre, such as the original Night of the Living Dead, these films find an original way to tell a story without catering to audience expectations. (74/100)


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age