Some films should be judged by their therapeutic value instead by being good entertainment. Interestingly enough, many of those films belong to the much-maligned genre of romantic comedies and some of those specimens usually aren't particularly romantic or particularly funny. Don Juan DeMarco, 1994 film written and directed by Jeremy Leven, is one of such examples.
Plot begins with the appearance of strangely looking young man (played by Johnny Depp) who calls himself "Don Juan de Marco" and claims to be the world's greatest lover. Despite looking odd, "Don Juan" is still able to seduce women, but after the latest conquest he climbs atop a billboard and wants to commit suicide, claiming that he is denied one true love. His life is saved by psychiatrist Dr. Jack Mickler (played by Marlon Brando) who brings the young man to the hospital to be observed. In order to hear "Don Juan's" life story he pretends to be Spanish noble Octavio de Flores and spends few days listening to the young man's fascinating tale. Soon the romantic tales begin to have effect on the old psychiatrist, especially when he rejuvenates romance with his long time wife Marilyn (played by Faye Dunaway).
Don Juan DeMarco is well-done but not particularly memorable film. The script, partly inspired by the works of Lord Byron, has rather interesting premise but never goes above the usual cliches of romantic feelings being superior to common sense or modern psychiatry being unable to deal with the eternal issues of the human soul. What makes this film somewhat different is the lack of classic romantic plot and plenty of eroticism (although mild enough for PG-13 rating). However, the biggest value of this film might be found in two great performances. Johnny Depp adds another entry into his rich gallery of unusual characters. Marlon Brando brings dignity to somewhat thankless role that would have been tragicomic if played by any other actor. The efforts of those two are so successful that the audience wouldn't care about plenty of missed opportunities in the script, mainly the unexplored theme of relation between fantasy and reality. So, it is easy to understand why Bryan Adams' ("Oscar"-nominated) song was better remembered than the movie itself. Yet, whoever watched this film probably felt somewhat better afterwards. So, Don Juan DeMarco actually served its purpose.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on November 25th 2002)
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