Depp Vs Heard Review: Johnny Depp-Amber Heard docuseries is a compilation video at best

Actor Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were part of perhaps biggest trial of 21st century. six-week-long court case in Fairfax, Virginia was a culmination of everything that h driven socio-cultural narrative in last dece. Most importantly, it was about #MeToo movement, and how it failed to become great neutraliser against abusers.

More than a year later after ruling in Depp v Heard case, Emma Cooper’s three-part documentary series revisits how court of public opinion shaped case. absurdity of how trial proceeded and how it was obsessively covered by not only mainstream media but online content creators and spectators – is fascinating, to say least.

While most documentaries are me with intention of finding a solution to complex and long-standing problems, Depp v Heard marvels at enigmatic and tragic dystopian landscape it is exploring.

(Poster of Depp vs Heard documentary)

3 things you need to know

• defamation trial was based on Depp’s claims that Heard h irrevocably damaged his reputation with an op-ed in Washington Post.
• John C. Depp, II v Amber Laura Heard trial took place between April 11 and June 1, 2022 in Fairfax, Virginia.
• trial concluded with Depp being awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages.

Hot Take

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s legal trial, as thought by many, was going to be a watershed moment in history of #MeToo Movement. This forms backdrop of documentary, as it goes back and forth between public sentiment on issue. However, this is only thing that documentary does.

(A still from documentary footage of Depp vs Heard lawsuit hearings)

re is only one redeeming quality in docu-series and that too comes at far end. It is revealed that during pre-trial sessions, a lot of evidence was shelved after being deemed inmissible. This is something that those watching trial are less likely to be aware of. That is all that this 2 hours 30-minute-long documentary has to offer. Rest all is alrey in public domain.

Does Depp v Heard live up to hype?

trailer of documentary teased that re will be insights into what turned out to be world’s first 'Trial by TikTok'. re are critical junctures in documentary where viral memes, social media commentary and newsroom debates about proceedings of trial are shown with context. Inste of providing a complete overview of forces at play, as documentaries often do, this one ends up being a compilation video.

(Stock photo of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard | Image: Instagram)

In Depp v Heard, statements from both Heard and Depp are shown side-by-side to imply objectivity. However, treatment boils it down to, as documentary also notes in end, a “he said, she said” narrative.  

re are no experts, lawyers or jurors who can provide an in-depth view of situation at play. Everything in show has been force-fed to audience. With nothing new to offer, docuseries feels like an exercise in futility.

(Stock photo of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard | Image: Instagram)

Skip it or stream it?

For docu-series to have come out almost a year after trial is rar uncanny. case was high-profile, but its developments and verdict are alrey lost on most of those who followed it closely. Johnny Depp's tarnished image has not been fully restored but he did return to Cannes Film Festival with his film Jeanne du Barry. Heard, on or hand, is out of public sight and living a quiet life in Spain.

only way series could have h any weight was if it was removed from trial. opinion-bombing by short-form content creators and public figures when something larger than m is ongoing is a manipulation of narrative with eir a benevolent or sinister intent. It’s something that is extensively featured in show but isn’t its heart. With its most poignant commentary feeling like a byproduct, its impact is significantly less.

Bottomline

This revisitation of not-so-long-ago past should come as a warning to content consumers – what if thing y are obsessed with ends up becoming centre of a mediocre documentary? Apart from repackaging of trial, Emma Cooper's docuseries Depp v Heard fails to provide an outsider's perspective on case.

Rating: 1/5