Warning; Spoilers galore in this one... maybe not. But just in case.
Premise: Vampires trying to find some measure of happiness in their long existence. Companionship, love and passion, this is what they are searching for. Lestat, the brat prince, turns Louis, who becomes one of the world's most depressed vampires and together they try to get along without killing each other. To save his marriage...er I mean bond, Lestat creates Claudia, a child and together they form a family. Of course, when the child Claudia becomes a full fledged adult still stuck in a child's boobless body, she becomes quite cross with her two bloodsucking fathers who mind you happen to have all of their fully developed body parts... even if one vital organ doesn't work anymore. (So sad about that).
My Review: O.M.G. this is by far my favorite vampire movie. This one actually knocked Fright Night (the original) out of it's long running number one spot.
Never before had I seen a vampire movie that was all about the vampires and not some hunter trying to kill them. Nor had I seen a vampire movie where the male vampire wasn't looking for the female of his dreams be them a reincarnation or not. This was original in every way possible. Thank you, Anne Rice for this breath of fresh air. This is why you're one of my inspirations.
These vampires are brutal, they kill within reason, but without remorse. Well, Louis is the exception. He'll kill you, but he'll feel bad about it afterward. And who can complain about a movie full of hunky vampires? And yes, the aroma of homo-eroticism made this vampire movie all the more entertaining to me. Why? Well, before IWTV, vampire movies didn't want to "go there" with the male-on -male lusting/biting etc.
I've got to tell you, when Tom Cruise bit Brad Pitt's neck and you could see the rapture and ecstasy of his bite in Brad Pitt's expression, I damn near jumped up in the movie theater and cheered. Fortunately, for all the moviegoers, I was too busy grinning like a Cheshire Cat, so they were spared. It was a bold move for Hollywood and I commend everyone involved in that movie for breaking down that wall and then stepping on the rubble as they walked through.This movie was realistic as far as what you think some vampires would do when they're together. How do they adapt with the changing times, can they? What makes them turn a human? These questions were addressed and that was so very interesting. The acting was superb and I know people had complaints about TC as Lestat, but I disagree. He nailed that role. Lestat is an intense character and TC is all about intensity. That hotel scene with the two females was amazing. It was as if they took that scene straight from the book itself. Kirsten Dunst's portrayal of Claudia was not only challenging, but it was spot on. To this day, I think that was her best performance.
This was also one of the few book to movie adaptations that was damn near like bringing the book to life.
My only complaint was the character of Armand. Antonio Banderas had his personality, but not his appearance. For those of you who may not know, Armand is a vampire forever trapped in the body of a 17 year old boy, courtesy of Marius. Still, it's a small complaint and in the end, I could care less because this movie was awesome!
Grade. A+++++ You've just been bumped to the Head of the Class!
This is exactly how I felt when I saw the movie. Never had a story been told from the vampire perspective. How do they cope with immortality? They see war and man's inhumanity to man. They are like eternal observers of the human condition who must survive on its scraps, albeit the corrupt and degraded of society. They do not kill indiscriminately. They do kill for a what could be seen as relatively moral reasons.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Well said.
DeleteI just want the rest of the books to made. In Order and by the same director damn it!!!!!I love these books and I wanted the body shifter story to be told...about David of the Talamasca Caste.
DeleteI was so hoping Hollywood would continue this series, but do so with "The Vampire Lestat" and go from there. It would be important for them to get a director that understand the voice of the characters and the vision of the author and not one who just wants to make a bloodsucking vampire movie with cheesy fight scenes and a contrived romance between two characters that had little to nothing to do with each other. Whewww, okay, rant over.
DeleteI have to say, I normally don't read reviews (my theory agreeing that those who can, write; those who can't, review), but yours let shook aside the veil of 'let me look down my nose and open my mouth to drivel' and actually had a fair review. Of course, my opinion may be slightly skewed because this was also my favorite. I fell in love with the book and the characters took words that pulled at your soul and made a feast for the eye as well. I will have to disagree but slightly however. While the age discrepancy of Armand's character was a bit off kilter to the storyline of the book, Antonio Banderas with long black hair and that evil eye was enough to send the viewer's loins screaming from the theater (or tv) to find a somehow more mundane replacement (male or female). BRAVO to both Mrs. Rice (also my favorite), and to the cast of Interview with the Vampire.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a writer with a vampire/shifter series of my own. ;D Anne Rice's books rekindled my love of reading and inspired me to write and be original. I saw the movie first and I just knew i had to read the books. Her world is so vivid, so intricate. Her characters are not lacking in personality or history. Each of her characters can hold their own story and in my opinion, there's a lack of that in some of today's literature.
DeleteShe's truly a pioneer.
Antonio was eye candy, so I really can't complain that much. Love his accent, too! *giggle*
This has always been my favorite movie when asked. I was around 13 when it came out. No other vampire movie and or book has touched this. Best characters and story line. Anne Rice is brilliant and the movie came out perfect.
ReplyDeleteMe too! LOL. I agree.
DeleteI agree wholeheartedly, this film is my favourite vampire one and it as close to the book as damn it. I am not a Tom Cruise fan but he was spot on as Lestat and of course Brad Pitt..... what can I say, he is my favourite actor and played Louis brilliantly. Now I've just read this I'm going to hunt out my dvd and watch it for the upteenth time.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this movie so many time, I know it by heart. LOL. I've read the books countless times as well.
DeleteExcellent review Mr. dn simmons. You echo my exact sentiments about this well written and acted movie.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with the description of the movie, very well put. It's also my all time favorite, since I was a young girl. Even after I read the book (the movie was such a downfall at that point). Maybe this is a movie that could be redone and turned a bit more modern technology and graphics (and a bit more added to show WHY Louis was such a morose man and why Lest at was such a brat).
ReplyDeleteI just want to say, that I watch the movie before, and after reading the books, and definitly after reading the books, I loved it. Although I never imagined Lestat fisically as TC, I aplaud him, because he did it grate. He captured the esence of the character. I saw it two weeks ago, twice in one day, and I was thrilled with every detail.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the movie.. I loved the books, but this was one of those things where the casting killed it for me. I pictured Lestat as someone like Sting (not Tom Cruise -puhleeze), and Louis a pictured darker, emo, dark hair. IDK
ReplyDeleteGive yourself a treat....the movie is "wonderful" if you can use that word for the undead. It's not Bram Stokers world, it's the world of Lesat, but an amazing world of it's own.
DeleteI totally agree that Sting would have made a much better Lestat...
DeleteI would disagree with Sting. I don't see him as Lestat at all. As a matter of fact, I felt that Stuart Townsend's portrayal of Lestat was terrible in QOTD. In my opinion, he was more like Lestat in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I think Brad Pitt nailed Louis, hands down. The moment when Claudia's ashes flew away, the expression on his face, that was perfections.
DeleteI nearly cheered when the credits rolled. I liken it to the Star Wars effect (affect - whatever.) So well done. Perfect choices of Actors/ Actresses. This series of books became my favorites from the time I discovered Anne Rice in grade school. LOVE the books and the movies. This one blew me away. When you see/hear Claudia yelling the hair on the back of my neck was standing up!
ReplyDeleteI loved the book but the actors chosen to play such fantastic strong men, was to say the least very disappointing My imaginary characters where breathtaking in all aspects of love cruelty flamboyant men Adored and hated
ReplyDeletebut oh so touchable, but yet untouchable.Ann Rice gives a lot of pleasure with her writings films do not often reach the spot a book does.
i loved Interview movie and book but absolutely hated QOTD movie, loved book. There isnt an Anne Rice book that I dont like. She brought New Orleans to life for me so well that I was able to run thru town looking at the houses feeling like i knew where I was. I love her books! I feel that all the books should be movies but only if she is assisting with that to make sure everything stays as true to book as possible. In watching QOTD, i found myself saying "thats not right" repeatedly. It was truly sad> The only thing good about it was the music.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I hated the QOTD movie. It was as if they crapped all over the story. The QOTD is so intricate and rich in character history and narrative. All they wanted to do was have Lestat prance around in leather with his shirt off and make out with Jesse. They had maybe 3 minutes of interaction in the book, but in the movie, they wanted to make it a blooming romance. it was terrible. I hated how they destroyed storylines in that movie. But I will admit to buying the soundtrack immediately after viewing the movie.
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