The Libertine
Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: November 23, 2005 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
44
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
8
Negative:
12
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
Rolling StonePeter Travers
This one-of-a-kind spellbinder from first-time director Laurence Dunmore is not afraid to shock. Depp is a raunchy wonder, especially in a time-capsule-worthy opening monologue. Read full review
80
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
As the imperious actress (and whore) Elizabeth Barry, the unlikely object of Wilmot's affection, Samantha Morton finds the soul in a woman who's hard as nails, and Tom Hollander and Rosamund Pike also provide excellent support. The haunting score is by Michael Nyman. Read full review
75
New York PostKyle Smith
This film isn't pretty, but it has some kick: It is to "Shakespeare in Love" what wild pheasant is to Chicken McNuggets. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Depp accepts the character and all of its baggage, and works without a net. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterSheri Linden
Johnny Depp makes a riveting antihero in a dark and bawdy period drama. Read full review
70
Dallas ObserverMelissa Levine
An interesting film, and a good one, with a harrowing performance by Depp, whose apparent enjoyment of the role seems only to increase as his character deteriorates. Read full review
67
Christian Science MonitorPeter Rainer
As the depraved John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, Johnny Depp adds yet another sly sleazoid to his burgeoning portrait gallery. Read full review
63
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
Johnny Depp's coruscating, rigorously uningratiating performance as debauched, self-destructive 17th-century aristocrat John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester, is the glue that doesn't quite hold together first-time director Laurence Dunmore's adaptation of Stephen Jeffreys' 1994 play. Read full review
63
Philadelphia InquirerSteven Rea
Illuminated by dim candles and the rare glimmer of sun, the movie is grainy, closed-in, and likely to cause spasms of claustrophobia. Read full review
63
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
It's a bit too muddy, dismal-looking and smoky to beguile us, too fixated on filth and too dreary-looking to really shock us. Read full review
More From This Movie

44 Critic Reviews

7.0 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 72 The Sheep Detectives
5 68 Crime 101
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL