Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Director: Tim Burton
Venue: DVD
DVD Features: trailers, photo gallery, interviews, featurette, director commentary
Trailer

Let me start by stating the obvious (to some). I am a Tim Burton fan. He’s got a distinctive sense of style, a great sense of humor and that certain finesse that few directors can touch. So, my review of any film directed by Burton is going to be a little biased. Conversely, the few movies that have disappointed on the scale of his other works, might otherwise have been given a good review, when compared to any common film. With that said, let’s take a look at Sleepy Hollow.

Hopefully, many people are already familiar with the story of Sleepy Hollow. I personally recall seeing the Disney animated version several times as a child and Burton reportedly based his version on that one. This new version of Washington Irving’s classic tale adds much more depth to the character of Ichabod Crane (Depp). After causing trouble in New York with his newfangled ideas of scientific research and criminology, his “superiors” sentence him to investigate the mysterious decapitations occurring in the village of Sleepy Hollow. Once he arrives, he is told the story of The Headless Horseman and sets out to disprove the myth and catch the real killer. However, his investigations lead him right back around to the world of magic and fantasy.

Plot: 4 ½ stars

As far as I am concerned, Johnny Depp is among the most talented (not to mention best looking) actors in the world. He’s also one of the most under-appreciated, in my opinion, as he has yet to be presented with an Oscar. He and Burton have a successful history together and he played a fantastic Ichabod Crane. Depp plays the character as an awkward and eccentric detective with a shadowy and troubling past and does it all in a beautifully humorous fashion. On the other hand, the worst casting call in Sleepy Hollow is the role of Christopher Walken as The Headless Horseman. Why cast an actor known for his brilliant performances and famous delivery as a character with virtually no lines!? It’s a travesty to be sure. Christina Ricci, who plays Crane’s love interest Katrina, didn’t seem very invested in the role to me. It was as if she was constantly distracted. I think any other similarly compensated Hollywood actress could have filled the role without much of a noticeable difference. Michael Gough, who plays Notary Hardenbrook, does the finest job of any of the village elders in Sleepy Hollow. Although his role isn’t a very large one, he is totally convincing in it. Miranda Richardson, however, is completely awful as Kitrina’s evil stepmother. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that she was reading from cue-cards.

Acting: 4 stars

It should already be obvious that Sleepy Hollow doesn’t feature any car chases or gun fights. But, it does have severed heads! (Yay for severed heads!) It has horse/carriage chasing and even witchcraft, wooden stakes, and an undead soldier. What more could an audience want? Did I mention that there are severed heads?

Action: 3 stars

As with most of Tim Burton’s films, expect a fantastic wardrobe of black and white stripes and that special brand of creepiness that pervades the entire set. The town of Sleepy Hollow is wonderfully absorbing due in large part to the set designs, costumes, lighting, make-up and other random features integrated throughout. The minimal CGI is not quite up to par with more recent films, but well done on the scale of the late 90’s.

Visual: 4 ½ stars

My favorite quote related to this movie isn’t in the script. Another interview I was reading for the film quotes the director as saying, "I've always wanted to make a movie where one of the characters didn't have a head." What’s that you say? “Not fair, you have to pick a quote from the film,” you say? Fine then! I guess I’m just so pissed off that Christopher Walken doesn’t have any lines that I got distracted. The best string of dialogue that comes to mind is the scene in which Ichabod is huddled in bed following his encounter with the horseman. “But it was a horseman…(pause) headless! (faint)” The line doesn’t look like much on paper, but the way Depp delivers it is hilarious.

Dialogue: 3 stars

When I saw this movie in the theater, back in ’99, I didn’t think much of it. I had been so psyched up about Burton’s rendition of the tale, that I was actually a bit disappointed with it (especially the acting). Now that I’ve seen it a few times on DVD, it’s grown on me, but it’s still not one of my favorites.

Alternate viewing choice: Delicatessen
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