https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4b/Sweeneylarge.jpg
I watched Sweeney Todd for the first time during Freeform's 31 Days of Halloween and the film resonated with me. Not in the beautiful way of what a gorgeous film with great moral values. The film was gorgeous, but the gore and the decay of London was a great juxtaposition for the decay of the London people. Sweeney Todd is a barber looking for revenge and returning to London after being wronged and thrown into prison. He has changed his name and is looking for revenge. The opening song is titled "No Place Like London". Todd sings these ominous lines,
There's a hole in the world like a great black pit
And the vermin of the world inhabit it
And its morals aren't worth what a pig could spit
And it goes by the name of London
And the vermin of the world inhabit it
And its morals aren't worth what a pig could spit
And it goes by the name of London
Todd disgraces London. He spits on London as it has spit on him through the selfish desires of its inhabitants. London's class scheme and poverty is the root of this story. Yes, there's gore, cannibalism, and insanity, but that isn't what makes Sweeney Todd so disgusting. What's disgusting about London is the way a judge decided to rape Todd's wife in public and got away with. What's disgusting is that Mrs. Lovett schemes to turn Todd's murdered victims into meat pies because of her inability to purchase meat and sustain a living. What's disgusting is the way that London eats its inhabitants up hole and swallows them without any thought because those who inhabit its streets are looking to devour those around them.
Watch the opening song and tell me what you think down below in the comments. Are you a fan of Sweeney Todd's depiction of London or do you think it's too pessimistic?
See you soon,
Sarah Johnson
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