Interview with the Vampire
Drink from me and live forever
A vampire relates his epic life story of love, betrayal, loneliness, and dark hunger to an over-curious reporter.
- Year: 1994
- Country: United States of America
- Genre: Horror, Drama, Fantasy
- Studio: Geffen Pictures
- Keyword: paris, france, based on novel or book, san francisco, california, vampire, bite, new orleans, louisiana, plantation, louisiana, pity, melancholy, child vampire, gothic horror, 18th century, macabre, plague, 19th century, urban gothic, playful, cautionary, reluctant vampire, grand, audacious, exuberant, melodramatic
- Director: Neil Jordan
- Cast: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater, Stephen Rea, Kirsten Dunst
This is a much more sophisticated take on the vampire through-the-ages narrative; but it has certainly dated in the almost 30 tears since Neil Jordan put together a stellar, if not great, cast to regale us with the tale of "Louis" (Brad Pitt) & "Lestat" (Tom Cruise). Told in flashback to a very sceptical reporter "Daniel" (Christian Slater), Pitt tells of his near 200 year life that started with his meeting with Cruise and his conversion to his immortal existence based on blood. It's a hugely lavish affair, with loads of lust, trickery, duplicity and gore - tinged with genuine regret, loneliness and sadness - and, of course, loads of cruel violence. Whilst it does nod to the whole "Hammer" style of horror thrillers - there is plenty of ketchup - the writing and characterisations have much more depth to them. Neither of the principal characters are likeable, but you do build some sort of reverse empathy with - at least Pitt - as the film progresses. The attention to detail on the sets and costumes as we march through time never lessens and contributes magnificently to a stylish, sumptuous glamour-fest. Much as they were/are doubtless box-office A listers, however, Pitt was just too young looking to be convincing, Cruise just can't really act at the best of times, much less with extra dental props and Kirsten Dunst just annoyed me in the best traditions of Shirley Temple. A shame, because the rest of this is superb.