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The first reviews for Johnny Depp’s comeback movie aren’t exactly worthy of a 7-minute standing ovation

It would appear the artist isn't being separated from the art.

jeanne du barry
via Le Pacte

It’s always important to separate the artist from the art – unless of course the subject in question is completely irredeemable – but the enthusiastic seven-minute standing ovation to have greeted Johnny Depp and his comeback movie Jeanne du Barry at the Cannes Film Festival hasn’t exactly been reflected in the first wave of reviews.

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Anyone who spent even a bit of time on the internet during the actor’s high-profile legal proceedings opposite ex-wife Amber Heard will be fully aware the Pirates of the Caribbean veteran retains a massive amount of backing, but that doesn’t mean his career is right on the cusp of a phoenix-like rise from the ashes.

jeanne-du-barry
via Red Sea Film Foundation

Nobody was expecting Jeanne du Barry to achieve that feat given its relatively low-key status as a French-language historical drama, but the initial reactions have indicated that it isn’t even all that great as a standalone work of cinema, regardless of Depp’s presence in a supporting role.

https://twitter.com/robbiereviews/status/1658567154344644621

That’s not to say the film won’t find a massive audience whenever it becomes available for the entire world to see – especially when Netflix has already swooped in and struck a deal for distribution in many key markets – but it could be a sign of things to come for Depp’s career.

He’s never going to be the A-list megastar he once was, and he may not even make his mark in mainstream Hollywood again, but there’s always the chance he can rehabilitate his reputation with character-driven turns in smaller projects, regardless of how they fare among critics.