Johnny Depp: A Kind of Illusion

by Denis Meikle

The star of some of the most successful American films in recent history, Johnny Depp is also one of Hollywood’s most versatile and enigmatic actors. From Edward Scissorhands, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, Ed Wood, and Donnie Brasco to his Oscar-nominated performances in Pirates of the Caribbean and Finding Neverland, his film roles have always been unconventional, earning him international respect and adoration. In Johnny A Kind of Illusion, film journalist Denis Meikle looks at the effects that Depp’s rising critical and commercial stature may have on the direction of his career, including his latest films? Rum Diary, Corpse Bride, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and Pirates of the Caribbean 2.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

400 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Evangeline]

Didn't hold my attention. The author didn't have enough information on the actor to warrant writing a whole book, so he had to gap-fill with lots of irrelevant info on Kentucky and such like.

[Cathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a very good filmography book, but it does not really give any biographical information on Johnny Depp. If you want to know every other actor and director he has ever worked with's history, or other bits of yearly, unrelevant to Johnny Depp, information, then this book is an interesting read. I picked up this book because I wanted to know more about Johnny Depp, and while I know a tiny bit more, I do not know almost 500 pages worth more; probably any information I didn't know could have filled 50 pages, and that's a stretch. The book would have been better titled "The Films and World Events during Johnny Depp's Life. Not a bad read for U.S. historical and film history info, but this is not a Johnny Depp biography. Too bad, because I really wanted to like this book.

[Ninjakicalka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Niestety ta książka okazała się totalną klapą. Nie czytało mi się jej jakoś ciężko, spędziłam z nią bardzo lekkie popołudnia. Większość czasu to czytanie recenzji i streszczeń filmów, w których grał Johnny. Oprócz tego znajduje się tu wiele szczegółowych informacji naokoło aktora, a nie o nim samym. Mam wrażenie, że autor książki pisał to wszystko za karę, wtrąca swoje kąśliwe uwagi gdzie tylko się da. Marudzenie to zdecydowanie jego mocna strona. Gwoździem do trumny jest fragment o wygranej DiCaprio w Oscarach w 1994 roku.

[Traceywatts · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little disappointed with this book as it turned out to be indepth film reviews of all Johnnys films with odd snippets about him included. I didn't feel that it gave me an insight into the life of one of my favourite actors and it felt like i was reading a book written by a film critic rather than someone who is interested in Depps life outside of this.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

More an extended review of Depp's films interspersed with quotes from his already available interviews and padded out with wiki research on the various themes of the films being discussed. Thank the lord that is over...

[Morticia · Rating 2 out of 5]

More a filmography than biography, not that informative about Johnny Depp and several times information about the movies is simply wrong.

[Saffron Lanser · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many reviews, not enough actual content about the life of the actor

[Flipperty Gibbert · Rating 1 out of 5]

How NOT to write an autobiography. Boring

[Christine Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book more years ago than I can remember where it lived in my library unread until I watched the Depp/Heard trial which whetting my appetite for all things Johnny Depp.
This 2004 book was well written by Glaswegian author, producer, film historian, and Hammer films aficionado, Denis Meikle (now deceased). The book covers the early years of Depp's life and career concentrating on his films through intensively researched facts making an interesting and readable book.
Meikle touches on the people and relationships in Depp's life including Jack Kerouac, Vincent Price, and Marlon Brando. He delves into the psyche of directors such as Tim Burton and Roman Polanski and dissects each of Depp's films with his well-versed articulate method of writing and his fluent understanding of sentence structure and flow. Peppered throughout with dialogue (including deleted scenes) from the film scripts.
He shows Depp's methodical propensity for accuracy of characterization and his ability to show emotion through his eyes. Depp said in referance to his battles with the suits, "Look, I respect you guys. I'll compromise to some degree.... but anything beyond that I feel is compromising the integrity of the character. I'm not willing to do that. You've got to trust me. You've got to let me do what you hired me to do. And if you're not happy with that, then you'll have to replace me." Needless to say, they didn't.
Johnny Depp through his diverse and various rolls has indeed proven to be one of the greatest actors of our generation and this book gives a close and personal look of the man.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already out-dated because Depp is only 60 years old, even younger when this was written...however the sourced material is still relevant and the author did a phenomenal job not only in connecting data and stats but in bringing out the Depp personality that has so attracted people, young and old, male and female for the last 30 plus years. One thing I admired and appreciated about the author's research, besides showing the failings of the man (but in a caring way) was the way he delineated the body of Depp's film work, giving compelling reviews that are honest about both the content of the films and of Depp's gradual maturity as an actor.
An excellent book.

[Kristīne Čeirāne · Rating 3 out of 5]

“My basic message is simple. Protect your mind. Protect your heart. And take care of yourself.” Johnny Depp, 1988

I am not a fan of biographies because I can never know how truthful they are. This one, however, is an interesting one. It offers an in-depth analysis of the films Johnny Depp has participated in and also explains the political and cultural background of each era.

[Celia · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like a review of his movies than a story of his life.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed, as it was more of a film overview rather than story about the actor.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too wordy, too many spoilers. More about the movie business than the man. Took me forever to get through it.

[Helan Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting read about a brillaint actor

[Gemima · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a biography, this is a filmography and should have been advertised as such. It was okay but it was a lot of fluffy and not what I wanted to read about.

[Tracey Volrath · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest I was very excited to read this book, however I found it very flat.

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with any "biography" of a star, there are huge parts of the star's life that remain untouched or non-disclosed if you prefer. Author Denis Meikle has chosen to target Depp's professional achievements versus his personal growth.

Meikle does touch ever so briefly upon Johnny's personal life, but only those aspects that are easily available, i.e. Interviews and news articles. I have still given the book a four out of five stars because the book does provide a brilliant filmography and does show a growth in Depp as a performer and (to a lesser degree) as a person.

My final verdict of the book is this: Definitely worth a look, if for no other reason than that of seeing how Depp has moved in the world of film.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book charting the life and career of the man himself, Johnny Depp.
From his roots in Kentucky, his troubled childhood, his professional and personal relationships and his early years in film right upto the launch of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
Well researched with a wealth of detail that borders on the minutiae.
Helped along with two sections of glossy photos of numerous personal shots and film stills.
A must for any fan of the great Depp or even just for a casual movie fan.
A great read.

[Alice Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in an unbiased style with plenty of in-depth information into Johnny's list of films, both good and bad, this was a book I really enjoyed. It wasn't what I was expecting - there wasn't a great deal of information about the actor's personal life. Nevertheless, this was a fantastic filmography, and I would recommend it to any Johnny Depp fans! 4/5

[Caroline Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a really good book if you are interested in the background of Johnny Depp. this Book goes from the very beginning of Johnny depp's life and gives a good desciption of anything you want to know about him.

[Estelle]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13836104

[Susan Jones]

Not sure when I actually stopped reading it but it was not long after I stsrted it. Not really a fan of these sort of books but do like Depp as an actor. Found the book slightly boring though.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

read back when I was 13...

[Trepkos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Workmanlike, but could do with an edit; too much waffle about the times, and the people involved in various productions.

[Gill CASEY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing and not captivating enough to keep reading