Bram Stoker's Dracula: Experiment in Excess

Rating: 9/10 (3 May 2005)

This movie is not for all tastes. Fans of the book will probably hate this movie for using Bram Stoker's name in the movie title even though it has more to do with copyright laws than on what source the movie is based upon. I've heard that the movie isn't exactly faithful to the book as it would lead most movie goers to believe. Other movie fans used to popcorn thrills and slasher films will probably be bored here as well. They'll find it weird, odd, or strange and there's definitely something off about this movie, something amiss, but it adds to a rewarding viewing experience unlike any other.
I completely love this movie. I love everything about it. The costumes, the set design, the gore, the score, the performances (yes, even Reeves), and the love story. It's one of the rare instances when several things come together and make a film work when it shouldn't. Handled by another director, this movie would have fallen apart and become something resembling Merchant Ivory meets Vampire in Brooklyn.
Francis Ford Coppolla directs with passion he hasn't had since Apocalypse Now and the original Godfather films. The cast is a mixed bag of sorts: Gary Oldman is at the top of his game as the famous bloodsucker, going from menacing monster to warm blooded lover in no time. Winona Ryder, sensing that she made a mistake ditching FFC in The Godfather, Part III, makes up for her disappointing absence in that film and gives her all here. Her Mina is filled with innocence and lust, and we feel for her towards the end of the film when her loss is unlike what we originally expected.
Anthony Hopkins is in scenery chewing mode as Van Helsing, but brings great presence to a movie much in need of a balancing force compared with Oldman's Dracula. The two actors play off one another when they aren't even on screen together, but it seems like one always knows the other is there. Keanu Reeves might have a terrible accent and look really dumb with frosted gray hair, but he fits into the odd cast as a wooden and terrified Jonathan Harker, and also offers a nice contrast with Oldman's Dracula. Hint: After seeing Reeves as Harker, we now know why Mina might want to run off with Dracula. There isn't going to be much passion or excitement in Harker's bedroom.
Overall, this is a brave and daring film, unlike most movies that were made after the summer blockbuster was invented. Not for all tastes, this movie will reward the fans and disappoint others, but for those who enjoy it, it will stay with them forever.