Interview with the Vampire
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (18)
D: Neil Jordan
Warner Bros./Geffen (Stephen Woolley & David
Geffen)
US/UK 1994
122 mins
Horror/Fantasy
W: Anne Rice [based on her novel]
DP: Philippe Rousselot
Ed: Mick Audsley
Mus: Elliot Goldenthal
PD: Dante Ferretti
Cos: Sandy Powell
Tom Cruise (Lestat de Lioncourt), Brad Pitt (Louis Pointe du
Lac), Antonio Banderas (Armand), Stephen Rea (Santiago), Christian Slater (Daniel Malloy), Kirsten Dunst (Claudia), Domiziana Giordano (Madeleine)
Based on Anne Rice's novel, Neil Jordan's modern gothic horror
classic utilises lavish period design, atmospheric photography and music as well as a fine ensemble of performances.
Tom Cruise may get top billing but he's very much a supporting
character behind Brad Pitt's Louis Pointe du Lac, a 200 year old vampire who reminisces about his life to a modern day San Francisco journalist.
Louis initially became a vampire after being seduced by
aristocratic Lestat de Lioncourt in 18th Century New Orleans.
Together they feed off the blood of their prey and 'adopt' a
vampiric daughter, Claudia (a scene-stealing Kirsten Dunst).
But Louis & Claudia believe they have a better chance of
survival in France, and escape Lestat to join a theatre of vampires, but things don't go as planned.
There were many who criticised the homoerotic subtext within,
but it really works in this film. Those expecting a horror movie for scares will be incredibly disappointed, this isn't that kind of horror, but is amongst the very best vampire films ever made,
abiding strictly to the legend.
For some, this will be worth watching simply to see Tom Cruise
upstaged by a juvenile.
8/10
