DON JUAN DE MARCO

US, 1995, 97 minutes, Colour.

Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, Faye Dunaway, Bob Dishy, to Talisa Soto, Rachel Ticotin, Richard C. Sarafian.

Directed by Jeremy Leven.

Don Juan de Marco is not predictable.  Johnny Depp is emerging as one of the most talented of young Hollywood actors.  One thinks of Edward Scissorhands, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Ed Wood, Dead Man.  He is usually more than a touch melancholy as he is here.  A young man, locked into his fantasy that he is Don Juan reincarnate, is treated by a psychiatrist, played in a more lively form than usual, by Marlon Brando.  As the therapy sessions proceed, with the young man elaborating extraordinary stories, the psychiatrist must make a decision as to whether he should `cure' his patient or leave him happy in his world.

But the psychiatrist is affected by his patient, becoming much more affectionate to his devoted wife (Faye Dunaway).  Improbable, but a light and often delightful film.   A surprising pleasure. 

1. Title? The legendary Don Juan? Don one in the Americas?
2. The blend of reality and fantasy? In the mind of John Arnold a Marco? In the mind of Dr Jack Mickler?
3. The visualising of the fantasies, John and his Zorro costume and mask? The recreation of the past, the Hispanic families, the women, Don Juan and his career, the year on the island, relationships? Dr Jack Mickler as part of the fantasy?
4. The contrast with Jack Mickler, a Marlon Brando character, his presence, bulk? Age and retirement? Relationship with his wife? His career, psychologist? His taking on John Arnold, the appeal of the case, possibilities for success?
5. The presentation of the sessions, the interaction between the two men? The effect of the therapy on John, going back into his fantasies, becoming entrenched in his fantasies? The effect on Dr Jack? His entering into the fantasies? The challenge to bring John out of them?
6. The portrait of the doctor’s wife, the relationship, their past, age, retirement? Affection? Love? Re-discovery?
7. 10 days of the institution, the treatment, no medication? The effect on John? Drs decision whether to leave him happily in his fantasies or risk the sombre coming to reality and its effect on John?