Modi – Three Days on the Wing of Madness – REVIEW

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After the Amber Heard court case, actor Johnny Depp has returned to directing for the first time in nearly 30 years since his debut with The Brave (1997). This time, however, he’s not behind the camera for a typical film, but instead focusing on artist Mogdiliani or Modi, whom he finds intriguing. Interestingly, Al Pacino had long been drawn to this role, and he makes a brief appearance in the film as art collector Maurice Gangnat, who appears to have played a significant part in supporting Modi’s career, as suggested by the movie.

Titled “Three Days on the Wing of Madness,” the story unfolds in 1916, a few years prior to the artist’s untimely demise. The narrative commences with a comedic start, depicting him darting around a restaurant where he sketches portraits. He careens through tables, trolleys, and eventually smashes through a window. This chaos triggers a pursuit down the street by the restaurant staff, echoing the slapstick movies of that era. The scene then transitions into under-cranked black and white for the chase.

In a rather unexpected twist, the ensuing narrative unfolds after a whirlwind of three days filled with unabashed revelry involving Modi, my esteemed artist companions Chaim Soutine (Ryan McParland) and Maurice Utrillo (Bruno Gouery), who, let’s be honest, aren’t exactly lightweights when it comes to tippling. However, amidst the camaraderie and liquor-fueled escapades, each of us grapples with our individual struggles.

For Modi, these troubles are manifold: substance abuse, an unrequited genius, and a tumultuous affair with writer Beatrice Hastings (Antonia Desplat) that’s as inconsistent as the ebb and flow of the tides. Adding to his woes, World War I unfolds in the backdrop while he is haunted by visions of his own demise. It’s a challenging character to embody, but Riccardo Scamarcio masterfully strikes a chord between rowdy antics and compassionate depth.

In the 2012 documentary ‘For No Good Reason,’ Johnny Depp approaches the portrayal of Modi’s creation scene with a deep respect, reminiscent of his admiration for artists like the brilliant Ralph Steadman. There’s a good deal of creative freedom applied in the adaptation of Modi’s story from the 1979 play by Dennis McIntyre. It should be noted that the film is more about capturing the essence of the artist’s life rather than providing an exact timeline of events. Modi, a free-spirited individual with a distaste for financial backers and a fondness for alcohol and drugs, has a strong draw as a subject for Depp, given his own struggles publicly disclosed during a court case. Directed by directors such as Terry Gilliam, Kenneth Branagh, Michael Mann, Roman Polanski, and especially Tim Burton, Modi’s transition to directing suggests even greater things are yet to come.

We chatted to actor Riccardo Scamarcio about working with Johnny Depp on the film…

We chatted with actor Bruno Gouery about working with Johnny Depp on the film…

Here’s the Modi trailer…..

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2025-07-10 02:23