Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has always been one of the most fascinating tales in literary history. I remember as a young child curling up on my grandmother’s lap while she dramatically told the story of Ichabod Crane and the infamous Headless Horseman. I couldn’t get enough! I would giggle at the squeamish Ichy and cower in fear at the name of the Headless Horseman. Now, twenty years later, I can relive all of the romance and horror with director Tim Burton’s ( Beetlejuice) amazing visual tour de force, Sleepy Hollow.
Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands) plays Ichabod Crane, an eccentric constable in 1799 New York. His experimentally driven ways lead him to the small town of Sleepy Hollow, where he is sent to unravel the mystery of the Headless Horseman. Depp is able to capture the essence that is Ichabod Crane; he is man driven by both fear and inquisition. With a profession that’s somewhat disheartening at times, it is humorous to watch this meticulous detective squeal over spiders and blood.
Tim Burton has this creative knack for inventing other worlds. Remember Gotham City and the small town in Edward Scissorhands, or how about the classic cult films PeeWee’s Big Adventure and Nightmare Before Christmas? With perfect dull tones of gray of black, Burton once again takes us somewhere else, somewhere surreal. Sleepy Hollow could have easily been filmed in black and white, although the bouts of splurging blood would have been a less effective waste. And the Tree of the Dead with tangled knots and thick branches is a great by-way between the two separate worlds, while it defiantly acts as home for the Horseman and his collective heads. It is Burton’s magic touch and ingenious visual skill that make Sleepy Hollow intriguing. The story itself is somewhat disconnected and the ending is completely trite and laughable. It’s like he had to make sense of this fantastic netherworld he created by adding human elements to rationalize the Horseman’s cause.
The twists and the logical flow of the plot leaves it a bit incomprehensible, and character development has obviously taken a backseat to the artistic aspects of Sleepy Hollow itself. Katrina Van Tassle’s (Christina Ricci) smitten relationship with Ichabod is underdeveloped, and Lady Van Tassel’s (Miranda Richardson) role comes virtually out of nowhere and appears forced. But I must give credit to Christopher Walken for his portrayal as the relentless, head-seeking Hessian Horseman. His razor sharp teeth and sunken eyes are more than enough to send shivers down the spine.
With a great look and feel, Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow breathes new life into the legend that is the Headless Horseman. The film’s cast of leading talents and larger-than-life villain are just enough to distract from countless holes in the plot, and the remarkable scenery is guaranteed to keep you grossly entertained.
+ ashley adams
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