{Movie Review} Richard casts an eye over Roman Polanksi’s The Ninth Gate

The story centres around Depp’s character, Dean Corso, a ‘book detective’ and dubious dealer who is hired by Boris Balkan (Frank Langella) to authenticate his copy of a book reputedly co-written by the Devil! 

After a series of coincidental murders, a paranoid Depp begins to suspect dark forces are at work. 

Enter the agent provocateur, Seigner, who befriends Depp and appears at the most opportune times, possessing uncanny knowledge that doesn’t seem to phase Depp too much as he believes her to be working for Balkan.

The story builds to a (literally) climactic ending although it could all so easily be a dream-like in Jacob’s Ladder.

This film is tightly scripted, beautifully paced, loaded with symbolism and positively brimming with menace. The effects are mercifully minimal and well done with great performances all round. 

It had a $38M budget and recouped $59M at the box office and its ratings are: 6.7/10 IMDb, 42% Rotten Tomatoes and 4.2/5 Amazon. 

I have watched The Ninth Gate more than a dozen times and am still captivated by the mystique and storytelling. 

My favourite part is when Seigner flies down a set of stairs to defend Depp against a thug.