The Libertine

In 17th century England, King Charles II (John Malkovich) has returned to the throne. Under his reign the arts flourish in London and John Wilmot the second Earl of Rochester (Johnny Depp) flourishes as well. Wilmot is a gifted poet and dramatist but also a self-destructive drunkard who never misses any opportunity for sex or for cruelty towards those who care for him. Wilmot and the King are friends but the former’s immorality while at times amusing also offends and results in his banishment from London. Some years later the King offers Wilmot a chance to redeem himself by writing a play to glorify his reign and entertain the French ambassador. In the process Wilmot falls in love with the young actress Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton) and uses her burning ambition to attempt to make her a great performer. True to his bent for failure Wilmot loses all when he presents an audacious and insulting play. He dies at the age of thirty-three as a victim of his own lusts.