Dracula- what on earth happened to Coppola

Rating: 1/10 (26 July 2005)

The fuss around Coppola's Dracula will always remain a mystery to me. I have read the book, and even regardless to the fact the book is by no means incomparable to the movie, the movie is simply a bad one. Did anyone pay attention to how badly all those talented actors acted in this film? Hopkins' adaptation to the Van Helsing accent was ridiculous and annoying, Ryder's acting was melodramatic and unconvincing, and Gary Oldman- well he is simply in love with himself. But it's without a doubt that it was in fact Keanu Reeves who kept amazing me. And it's not as if I thought he was great in other films, but in this one it was absurd, and on the verge of parody; the way he looks when he enters Mina's room with his friends to meet the count- his scattered look, compulsive blinking, lack of any emotion what so ever- just gave me the general feeling that Keanu momentarily forgot in which movie he was playing and what was expected from him. Not to mention that hideous fake British accent, and the robotic style Reeves used to convey us he is 'in the character'. As a comedy- yes, this movie was brilliant. As a horror drama- PE-LEEEASE. It is crystal clear Coppola mis-casted and mis-directed this farce. Horror show all right And a tip to those who have the DVD- don't forget to watch the hilarious documentary, with brilliant shots of I-don't-know-what-I'm-doing-here-Reeves ("Dude, there's something soo weird with being bitten in the neck"), I-am-so-in-love-with-myself Oldman, and much much more. Not to be missed