Year:
1994
Studio:
Geffen Pictures
Feature:
3/5
DVD:
3/5
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles is a rather
self-important and overblown title for a film. This movie is Anne
Rice's adaptation of her novel of the same name to a screenplay. The
story is the tale of Louis (Brad Pitt), a New Orleans French vampire
who was converted in the late 1700's. It is told by Louis himself to a
reporter (Christian Slater).
Basically, Louis is converted by Lestat (Tom Cruise), who tries to
teach Louis how to be a proper vampire. But Louis has too much humanity
in him. One night though, Lestat converts a young girl, Claudia
(Kirsten Dunst), who probably would have died from the plague anyway.
Louis and Lestat raise the girl until 30 years later she realizes she's
been cursed and has Lestat murdered.
Louis and Claudia travel to Europe in search of other vampires. There
they meet Armand (Antonio Banderas) the self-proclaimed oldest vampire
in existence. They also meet Armand's minions who are led by the
stage-acting vampire Santiago (Stephen Rea). Bad things happen. Claudia
is murdered by Santiago and the other vampires. Louis wrecks bloody
vengeance. Armand survives but Louis refuses to join him. And that's
pretty much the movie.
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Vampires are
not my cup of tea so I didn't think the movie was that great. It is
different in that it's not a vampire horror movie. This is a
vampire-are-people-too movie and the kind of vampire angst that White
Wolf's World of Darkness revels in. Kirsten Dunst at the age of 11 or
12 is damn scary in this role. Even then she could totally act.
Extras
Commentary by director Neil Jordan. Subpar at best. Too many periods of
silence.
"In the Shadow of the Vampire" -- 30 minute behind the scenes special.
Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt portions were taped when the film was in
production. Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas looked to be more recent
interviews.
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