Johnny Depp stars in Jim Jarmusch's long-form poem put to film. The story, which plays out in what feel like short chapters (due to Jarmusch's decision to fade to black between every new scene), is simple on the surface. William Blake (Johnny Depp) comes to a new town in search of a job, is shot, kills a man, and escapes to the wilderness both to avoid capture and to live his last days before his gunshot wound does him in. There he meets a Native American who guides William on his journey.
The film, however, is not that simple. Like much great art, it's about as complex as you let it be - there are meditations on death, violence, history, gore, dark comedy and more packed into what plays as an incredibly sparse movie.
Like 'The Thin Red Line' or 'Elephant,' the plot in 'Dead Man' spools out slowly and is subtle enough to frustrate many viewers. For those patient enough to travel with William Blake at his snail's pace, however, this is a remarkable film.
YES (8/10)
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