Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder - towering performances!

Rating: 9/10 (6 May 2002)

Francis Ford Coppola's version of Dracula in 1992 certainly was a little different from 'normal' vampire films.
I won't give anything away, but as the sub text says "Love Never Dies", the movie characterized Dracula as more of a romantic than previously believed. Don't get me wrong - Dracula (Oldman, whose performance as Dracula was possibly the best in cinematic history) was still evil!
But that is precisely why this movie appealed to me - because it was a little different from previous Dracula movies.
The performances by Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder - wow! I don't think I have ever any actor or actress speak with such a brilliant accent: that thick, syrupy Romanian accent dripping off Oldman's tongue - I mean, that guy IS DRACULA! Winona Ryder, one of my favourite actresses also put in a stunning performance as Mina Murray ('Harker' later in the movie). Her English accent and her sensual portrayment of a mortal in love with a monster (Dracula) was wonderful and unforgettable.
The movie itself was of real quality, with other excellent performances from Anthony Hopkins as a slightly 'campy' Van Helsing, and Tow Waits playing the lunatic Renfield very impressively (pretty good for a rock star!).
Whilst this movie may not appeal to fans of gore and sheer violence, it is a nice little diversion. The acting, the costumers, the sets, the special effects and indeed the reasonably-close-to-Stoker's original story makes this movie one of my favourite films of all time.
There should be something in this film for everybody!