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A romantic approach to a classic tale,
November 24, 2004
I love this
movie.
That's really all that needs said on the topic but given
our culture's obsession with explanations, I will proceed with further
comments. Firstly it's a very romantic, soft approach to a story that has
otherwise been brutalized in the cinema. Most Dracula films drench the
audience in blood and give us gruesome depictions of leering fangs, while
this one alludes to things but is never expressly gory or gruesome. It's a
softer approach that appeals in particular to females. Of course, who
could doubt that -- one glimpse of Frank Langella sweeping into Lucy's
life and carelessly tossing his long, menacing black cloak to the nearest
forgotten servant is enough to set any woman's head spinning. Forget the
composure of most villains, Dracula has all the beguiling sexuality of a
dozen infamous Don Juans that send the very Victorian women in his life to
utter confusion. Frank Langella was ingenious for the part, reprising a
role he'd already defined on Broadway.
Everyone complains about
the quality transfer and how this film has been forced into a nearly black
and white canvas in order to create a gothic effect. Having not seen the
original, I didn't find it disappointing, just a fabulous mood-setter. I
know this will probably regulate my review to the bottom of the pile, but
it's a matter of preference that lends a certain morbid flair to the
piece. They had a marvelous palate to work with in the first place, from
the Grecian architecture of the castle to the morose English countryside
in midwinter, when death surrounds the morbid asylum and its pensive
graveyard. The film manages to be very haunting and beautiful at the same
time, indwelling romance while never allowing us to forget the sinister
surroundings.
For concerned parents and sensitive viewers, the
R-rating seems heavy handed in comparison to most modern films. Gore is
minimal, language is nonexistent, and sexual content consists more of
underlining tension and passionate kissing than anything heavy-handed. The
extras are also very nice, although in some respects the director's
commentary rehashes much of what we've already heard on the featurette,
which is by far the most marvelous addition. Interviews with some of the
cast and crew, as well as reminiscences about filming, remind us that this
wasn't just a movie, it was an adventure from beginning to end, from
Laurence Olivier's increasingly bad health but persistent determination to
do his best (and he turns in a fine performance) to Frank Langella's
surprising thoughts on the film's love scene.
It may not please
anyone desiring leering fangs and blood spattered walls, but I certainly
enjoyed it.
--This text
refers to the DVD
edition
