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Soused and Amused: Helena Bonham Carter in Dark Shadows


I grew up loving the films of Tim Burton. From Beetlejuice to Batman Returns to Ed Wood, I thoroughly enjoyed the man's work during his heyday. I never ranked him as my favorite director, or even close, but I always appreciated his uniquely skewed style and aesthetic.

At some point though, starting in the early 2000s, his movies started blending together for me. His quirkiness and aesthetic were losing some of their luster. While I haven't kept up with all of his work in recent years, I've seen enough to know I don't eagerly anticipate his new films anymore. Unless, of course, they feature Michelle Pfeiffer.


I thoroughly enjoyed Burton's 2012 Dark Shadows adaptation, and in fact it's only grown on me over the years. Beyond a few clips, I've never seen the original television series, so I can't make any comparisons between the versions. However, I can state unequivocally and for the record, that despite Johnny Depp being the top-billed star, the film boasts three pretty spectacular supporting female performances from Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, and Helena Bonham Carter.

While writing about Pfeiffer's work in the film (coming soon!), I was reminded just how much fun she and the other ladies of Collinsport are. Dark Shadows supports my theory that Pfeiffer steals every film she's in (no matter how small the role or how mediocre the film), but  it also features similarly great scene-stealing work from Green and Bonham Carter.


Bonham Carter is a delightfully weird actress, and she brings that offbeat charm to Dark Shadows. As Dr Julia Hoffman, she's the Collins's flame-haired, sassy, sexy, and perpetually sloshed psychiatrist. Fearing her own mortality, she numbs the pain of aging by drinking herself silly. In other words, she's like you and me. When she falls under Barnabas's spell, her dreams of immortality become reality.

The film's closing shot leaves us with Julia, previously presumed dead but now awakening at the bottom of what could have been her watery grave. There's a sequel I want to see! Dr. Julia, in Dead Drunk and Loving It.

Obviously, Pfeiffer's Elizabeth will always be my favorite character in Dark Shadows, but as the following assortment of GIFs attest, Bonham Carter's Julia can be my spirit animal any day.

Nah, Dr. Julia, you still look great and you're a high-functioning drunk. Winning!

"I'm so wasted right now."

Yes, please.

Flattery will get you everything.

Dedicated mental health professional, at your service.

I swear, every line she utters can be construed as innuendo.

She only noticed in the name of science, of course.

In my fantasy world, Julia is my psychiatrist. We laugh a lot and get sloppy drunk on single-malt Scotch. It's the best therapy ever.

Jules could drink any sailor under the table, even with a ten-minute delayed start and her hands tied behind her back...

...and then celebrate with a nightcap.

Dr. Julia, hip 1970s proto-Riot Grrrl feminist.

Deee-liteful: Groove is in the heart.

We need that Dr. Julia vampire sequel. Now.

Sadly, this is part of what makes Julia so darn relatable. We've all been there, sister.

To paraphrase Working Girl, she has a mind for medicine and a bod for sin.

#JuliaFTW

This Saturday, Helena Bonham Carter turns fifty-two. She certainly won't become half as pretty on her birthday, but if she'd like to celebrate by getting twice as drunk, then I say more power to her. Stay weird, Ms. Bonham Carter.

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  1. Paul SMay 23, 2018 at 12:25 PM

    Great post, love the GIFs, you've inspired me to give Dark Shadows another look. I missed it at the cinema and as often happens pressure of time and my short attention span meant I gave the DVD short shrift. It is a film chock full of great actresses, Helena, Eva Green, Chloe Moretz and the matriarch, the one and only Michelle. Tim Burton certainly can pick his muses.

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    Replies
    1. Words Seem Out of PlaceMay 31, 2018 at 11:48 AM

      Let me know once you've sat through the entire film! I recently snagged it on Blu-ray myself, so I'm looking forward to another viewing sometime soon.

      Delete

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