The Ninth Gate (1999)

Product of Artisan Entertainment and R. P. Productions
Directed by Roman Polanski
Starring Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, and Emmanuelle Seigner

In this Roman Polanski film released just before the turn of the millennium, Dean Corso, a dirty rare-book dealer is hired by Richard Nixon another rare-book dealer named Boris Balkan to authenticate a book called "The Ninth Gate."  There are only three of these authentic copies in existence, though Balkan is convinced that his copy is the only remaining authentic.  If its not, Corso is to obtain the last remaining authentic, by any means necessary, with a check to match. 



First things first, the book ("The Ninth Gate") was written so many years ago, supposedly in 1666, co-written by the Devil himself.  If the bearer has the original inscriptions, he or she can use them to summon the Devil himself.  Therefore, this particular book is very, very valuable and people would kill for it, a recurring theme in this film.

Of course, this film includes Johnny Depp, one of your favorite actors of all time, as Dean Corso.  He retains his lackadaisical/accidental humor in all of his films as almost a subconscious trademark, though that quality seems to be missing from this film for most of it.  Take my opinion here though, its great to see Depp in a completely different role than Jack Sparrow from "Pirates."  Frank Langella, known to me as Richard Nixon from "Frost/Nixon," plays the ruthless, passive-aggressive Devil-worshipping Boris Balkan, who pays Corso quite handsomely for this quest.  He fits the part well, being a large intimidating elderly man who looks damn good in a pinstripe tuxedo, which he wears every time you see him.

My favorite characters are usually a small part that have some impact on the story, and my favorites from this film are no exception.  The Ceniza Twins, in Toledo (not Ohio).  They're two Italian brothers who own rare books store in an oddly vacant neighborhood, and they remind me a lot of Mario and Luigi.  They're old, they're grey, they're smart, and they finish each others sentences.  They seem to have absolutely no fear of the Devil at all.  Light-hearted, farcical, and quite funny.  What's more, is that they were played by the same character using a motion-capture rig, then Roman Polanski himself dubbed one of the voices. 

Roman Polanski.  I've heard of him, though I don't remember ever seeing any films by him before.  I do enjoy his directing and cinematography though.  He seems to find the actors strengths and exploit them quite well, such as Langella's intimidation factor and deep voice and Depp's "oopsy!" kind of natural humor.  There were scenes in the movie where it was supposedly seen from Corso's point of view, even the camera moving much like a head would.  He puts together some great shots, ones that I can only imagine set precedents for other directors.  If you look closely, I noticed some things that were pretty funny.  My favorite part was when Corso was studying "The Ninth Gate" in the library, and going to put a book back in the "Fiction" section.  If you've read my other blog, you would know why I think it's funny.

In the end, it was a good movie.  The suspense-thriller part of it was interesting, though nothing really popped out at you.  My problem with it was the fact that it was almost suspenseful at all the wrong times.  Like when Corso was sleeping with a dead guy's wife.  I guess I failed to mention that Depp is naked for a good chunk of this movie.  It just kept you thinking on a "National Treasure" level.  And it ends with Richard Nixon almost giving himself to the Devil.  I give it a solid B.  It's nothing special, and I'm not sure it won any awards, but it's still a good movie to watch.

Boris Balkan: [reciting the secret meaning of the illustrations] "To travel in silence / by a long and circuitous route, / To brave the arrows of misfortune / and fear neither noose nor fire, / To play the greatest of all games / and win, foregoing no expense / is to mock the vicissitudes of Fate / and gain at last the key / that will unlock the Ninth Gate."