Parents' Guide to Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness

This Johnny Depp-directed story of artist Amedeo Modigliani (1884–1920) is livelier and more passionate than most biopics, somewhat elusive, a touch rambunctious and wild, and undeniably personal. Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness is Depp's first time behind the camera since The Brave (1997), which he refused to release in the United States after the film was critically annihilated in Cannes. Since then, Depp went from being one of Hollywood's most unique, creative, and reliable stars to a string of box office bombs and critical duds, followed by scandal and then crickets. He's clearly working on some issues here, which is fascinating— and even admirable. It's hard not to notice that, like Depp did with The Brave, Modì also sabotages his own work after hearing a discouraging word.

That said, viewers never really learn about what makes Modì a particularly interesting artist or what place he occupies in art history. Instead, the movie is about the creative process and the creative mind. Modì is happy to dump one of his paintings on clueless tourists, but he seems particularly invested in a small sculpture that he's unwilling to declare finished or to let go. Italian actor Scamarcio makes a charismatic Modì, moving restlessly in his billowing trench coat and taking things in with his piercing blue eyes. And Gouery and McParland are fine comic support; the three characters form a funny, if odd, trio. (More familiar actors Stephen Graham and Al Pacino hold their own in smaller roles.) The sprightly screenplay by veteran couple Jerzy Kromolowski and Mary Olson-Kromolowski (The Pledge, In the Electric Mist) certainly helps keep things moving, and Depp's direction is confident, energetic, and definitely enamored of the romantic time and place. Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness might be his most revealing work in years.