



Clever comic romance which mainly works as a parable for how modernity has squeezed out folklore and the poetry of love. There's a signature Johnny Depp fantasy role, as an ordinary stiff who gets absorbed into the mythology of Don Juan rather than confront complex real life problems.
And he intrigues the lovelorn females of the psychiatric hospital where Marlon Brando treats him for schizophrenic delusions. Except the Byronic dreamer is having more luck re-awakening the shrink's passion for his lovely wife (Faye Dunaway) than accepting he's just a loser from Phoenix, Arizona.
This was developed as an actors' duello between the male stars, but Depp is too beautiful and charismatic not to settle that contest instantly, with a virtuoso performance. Brando is fine and twinkles with elderly charm, but he's so startlingly overweight that it's hard to see beyond his physicality.
Those who like seeing JD play mythic oddballs will love this. Though his comedy Spanish accent is a reminder of his guest spot on The Fast Show. Depp may flourish a sword with zero credibility, but no-one will ever more persuasively portray a crazy misfit who is certain he's a romantic literary legend.