When it comes to the weird, director Tim Burton certainly rules in contemporary cinema. Films like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005), “Sleepy Hollow” (1999), “Ed Wood” (1994), and “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) are evidence of this. But these movies, in addition to portraying weird and eccentric characters, have something else in common: they all star Johnny Depp – Burton’s muse, if such a thing is possible. The astonishing, creepy and poetic “Sweeney Todd” is the new masterful addition to this list.

It is Victorian England, and Johnny Depp plays Benjamin Barker, a happily married barber. One day, while Barker, his wife and daughter are spending some happy times together, Judge Turpin (the always evil – even if he doesn’t try – Alan Rickman) unjustly sends Barker to prison, so that he can keep his wife and child. Barker is sent far away, to Australia, under false premises. Barker’s wife, who is very unhappy with Turpin, poisons herself to death. Their daughter becomes Turpin’s ward.

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