The Ninth Gate: Review By Fallenlords

I wonder if anybody can handle stories about the Devil as well as Roman Polanski. He just seems to have a knack of bringing demonic aspects to life. The Ninth Gate is a truly exceptional film, especially if you have any sort of interest in the occult.

Johnny Depp stars as Dean Corso, an unscrupulous dealer of antique books. He he is hired by Boris Balkan (Frank Langella) to authenticate his version of the 'The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows', a book that is suppose to have been written in collusion with the Devil himself. Balkan has recently obtained the 'Telfer' copy of the book, just before Telfer committed suicide. Only three copies of this book are left in existence. Balkan is convinced only one copy is authentic. Corso examines Balkans copy which seems authentic to his expert eye, but Balkan insists there is something wrong and it needs to be compared to the others. Corso quips 'You mean the Devil won't show up?'

Corso starts his journey to authenticate the books, first by meeting the Widow Telfer (Lena Olin). She is very surprised that her late husband sold the book. When Corso quizzes her about her husbands interest in the occult and whether or not he tried to raise the Devil, the Widow gives the appearance of knowing more than she let's on. As Corso investigates he keeps meeting 'The Girl', Emmanuelle Seigner, who he assumes is also connected to Balkan. She appears to be acting as a guardian angel over him.

More and more dark events transpire as Corso starts to solve the riddle of the Nine Gate and peace together the puzzle. It leads him to the ultimate finale which is somewhat unexpected.

Johnny Depp plays an excellent part as the no-nonsense money grabbing book dealer that believes more in hard currency than he does in God. But it is interesting as to how his character evolves. In it for the money at first and with ample opportunity to quit. He becomes more and more absorbed with finding the true meaning of the Nine Gates. I couldn't imagine anybody but Johnny Depp playing this part,because it really requires somebody that can act unscrupulous, yet be smooth talking and charming at the same time. You have to like Corso, even though he isn't meant to be that likeable. To this effect I think Depp plays the part to perfection. He is a sort of likeable rogue, obviously knows his stuff, knows his profession and you have the feeling he could if he wished put that to better use. Lecturing, running a museum, something a bit more worthwhile than just making a buck. But that is the charm of the character, he is not all good but he is also not all bad.

Frank Langella plays a somewhat understated part at first as Balkan, but comes more to life as the film moves along. He is creepy enough for you to see he has ulterior motives, but as to what they are you not entirely sure. How much of a part he is playing with regards to the events that unfold are also undetermined. Though you suspect he is always in the background and not very far away.

The Girl, is a very interesting character. Because you are unsure as to who or what she is, for the most part she appears to be helping Corso and Balkan. Yet is she more than she seems? Even the ending to an extent allows you to draw your own conclusions it is not spelled out in black and white. I know what The Girl is but only because I cheated and read the production notes.

I basically like everything about this film,the opening sequence is terrific. It shows the death of Telfer then the camera zooms into an empty space on the book shelf, obviously where the Nine Gates should be, it then follows through to a dark passage and a door. The door opens, another passage, another door. You feel like you are on a journey as the haunting soundtrack plays along and the cast credits are displayed. The soundtrack to me is just spot on as it really does add the right amount of suspense and intrigue at the right points in the film.

The directing can't be faulted, this is truly a film that immerse's you into the world of the Supernatural and the Occult.