Again in 1997, Johnny Depp stepped behind the digital camera for the primary time. The Courageous marked his debut as a director, and he went all in—writing, directing, and starring within the film. However after a tough reception at Cannes, he walked away from it. There was no U.S. theatrical launch, no marketing campaign to put it aside, and the film quietly vanished.
Greater than 20 years later, The Courageous nonetheless hasn’t surfaced within the States. It holds a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is never talked about in discussions of Depp’s work. He hasn’t tried to reintroduce it to new audiences both. His stance was clear from the beginning: he’d “reasonably put it in a vault.”
Regardless of being almost forgotten, the way in which Depp dealt with the film tells loads about how personally he took the response. This wasn’t only a failed film; it grew to become one thing he actively distanced himself from. Let’s dive deeper!
What Occurred At Cannes?
The Courageous wasn’t some vainness facet challenge. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor tailored it from Gregory McDonald’s novel, put up a few of his personal cash, and solid himself as Raphael – a determined Native American man who agrees to die on digital camera in a snuff film for $50K. It was grim, sluggish, and deeply private, with Marlon Brando additionally showing in a supporting position.
21 years of the movie The Courageous (July 30, 1997) #JohnnyDepp #backstage pic.twitter.com/iMQerBtHd2
— Depp Lovers (@depplovers) July 30, 2018
The film premiered at Cannes in 1997 and landed exhausting. Critics didn’t simply pan it – they gutted it. The Los Angeles Occasions famous how shaken the actor was by the blowback. He’d anticipated criticism, however he felt nearer to humiliation. He stated, “This was one of the troublesome issues I’ve ever carried out. It nearly ripped me to shreds.”
So, he pulled again. No press tour. No studio push. No American launch. For a significant star, it was an uncommon transfer – intentionally pulling your personal film off the desk. However Depp caught to it, and The Courageous disappeared from the scene utterly.
The movie was launched theatrically in 1997 and noticed a restricted launch in worldwide markets, each in theaters and on DVD. Nevertheless it was by no means launched in the US. The actor made a aware choice to maintain it away from most people, which had already torn it aside.
A Film That Received’t Die, Even If Johnny Depp Needs It Would
Ask the few who’ve seen it, and opinions fluctuate. Some admire its ambition, its refusal to melt exhausting themes. Others say it’s sluggish and emotionally flat. The pacing is uneven, and the payoff by no means fairly arrives. However there’s no query Depp put numerous himself into it. He wasn’t aiming for business success. He was attempting to say one thing.
So, even when it didn’t land doesn’t make it meaningless. In truth, the way in which he buried it has made it extra fascinating to some. Through the years, it’s turn out to be a form of misplaced film – one which followers nonetheless observe down on international DVDs or grainy uploads. What’s unusual is that Johnny Depp by no means returned to directing. Perhaps The Courageous soured him on it for good. Or perhaps some wounds simply don’t fade.
The Courageous Trailer
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