I FELL IN LOVE WITH DRACULA...AS MONSTER, DEMON, AND MAN

Rating: Null/10 (18 August 1999)

It has been said that a good film is one that causes its audience to feel for, or care about one or more of the characters. I felt deeply for Dracula, i.e. GARY OLDMAN. I felt pity, sympathy, disdain, contempt, fear, love and also lust for this creature. Oldman is without doubt the best actor alive (under 50), and that made me love his character even more. Ryder seemed mis-cast, not to mention Reeves who was terribly mis-cast, stiff as a board as usual. (Why, Cary Elwes would have made a better Jonathan Harker)! Hopkins has been criticized for being "hammy", or pompous, but that is what his role called for. The paths that this film takes you on are many and winding, and Oldman's character is the essence of disguise masters. He was nothing less than brilliant. Very deserving of a nomination at least. I knew I was in love with Prince Vlad when he resisted biting Elisabeta due to his deep love for her. Throughout the movie I rooted for Dracula, and in the end I rejoiced that they found some measure of tenderness and passion before she gave him the ultimate gift of "peace".