The Libertine
The Libertine tells the true story of the 2nd Earl of Rochester (Johnny Depp), friend and confidant of King Charles II (John Malkovich). He revels and delights in tweaking the noses of London's royals with his merciless cynicism and his rebellious escapades. While his sexual liaisons inspire awe amongst both men and women, it is his subversive wit that earns their reverence.
With the Plague in living memory and considerable disquiet and plotting on the part of the country's Catholics, King Charles is struggling to maintain the stability of his monarchy. In an attempt to build bridges with an old foe, he hatches a plan to welcome the new French Ambassador to London with a spectacular and profound stage entertainment in his honor. Clearly, his exceptionally clever friend the Earl is the man to be trusted with such an important task.
The darling of court and commoners, Rochester is a formidable presence who becomes enraptured by a young actress (Samantha Morton) being driven off the stage by an unforgiving audience. He bets his friends that he can make her London's best and most famous actress and sure enough, Rochester is a man who always collects.
Only Rochester has, by now, fallen in love with his protégé, the young and once struggling actress. Their affair, and her subsequent betrayal prove to be the undoing of the celebrated Earl.
The Libertine marks the directorial debut of award winning British commercial director Laurence Dunmore and is based on the play by Stephen Jeffreys. Stephen has adapted his own play for the screen. The Libertine was nominated for eight British Independent Film Awards in 2005. Rosmund Pike won Best Performance by a Supporting Actress. Miramax release the film in 2005.
The Pursuit of 'Libertine' - Stephen Galloway, Hollywood Reporter
Glamorizing the Progress of a Notorious Rake - Charles McGrath, New York Times (PDF)
Libertine Review - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
"The Libertine" Trailer - (Quicktime - 7mb)