Sleepy Hollow 4K 1999

Burton doesn't make movies for the sake of plot. And Sleepy Hollow can't be squeezed into the procrustean bed of the horror or detective genre. And thank God - if Tim had made an ordinary mystical thriller, I would have died of boredom. No, 'SL' is a typical Bertoneanism, combining elements of gothic and black humor, with stunning visuals, great acting and excellent dynamics. Without a doubt, this is one of the most stylish and colorful films of the last decade.

The best things about 'Sleepy Hollow' are the scenery, costumes and sets. Every frame from the movie is worthy of a place in a museum of cinematic art. Just last night, while re-watching 'SL' for the umpteenth time, I kept pausing the movie to admire a freeze frame. There were about fifty such 'stops' during the movie, which made it take almost three hours to watch, but it was worth it.

I am not often so inspired by the work of the cameraman, director and set designers. Look, look at these pictures - they are masterpieces within a masterpiece! Sheep running under a layer of fog between haystacks; gloomy, Gothic houses in Dutch style; the Tree of the Dead, twisted and attractive in its ugliness; red-red blood on alabaster-white faces.... Unfathomable beauty! And how the spirit of the American backwoods of the late 18th century is conveyed!

Many thanks should be said to the actors. Johnny, as always, deserves the highest praise and my applause. His devilish grimaces, wiggles and tricks can cheer up even a dead man. An actor from God - what else can be added here ... I will especially note the scene in the woods - Depp very convincingly portrayed the rider sitting on a galloping horse.:)

Christina Ricci is no less beautiful in the role of the humble stepdaughter. Oh, that loose blonde hair, the whitewash on her delicate face and the elegant rustling dress..... Ricci is well into the role. She could only wish for a little more energy and initiative - it is immediately obvious that in his game, she relied entirely on the will of Burton and did not improvise at all. This did not hurt her role, but against the background of Johnny Christina still looks a little pale.

Christopher Walken also played his role brilliantly. You watch and enjoy. By the way, I will allow myself a remark off topic: look at Walken's face at the end of the movie. Do you know who he reminds of? Johnny Depp himself in his mid-60s. They really do look a lot alike.

In conclusion, it remains to say that Burton managed to make a perfect movie - beautiful to the point of obscenity; surreal, gothically dark and, at the same time, very simple and clear.