Bram Stoker's? Says who?

Rating: 5/10 (7 May 2007)

I recently read the novel for the first time and was very impressed with its freshness and modernity, especially the intelligence and strength of Mina and her importance to the group. I remembered FFC's film quite well and decided to watch it again to compare... yes Gary Oldman acts his socks off but what's with the Mina/Elizabeta plot? It completely detracts from Mina's status as a strong intelligent woman and makes a mockery of her feelings for Harker. Harker is portrayed to a weak and feeble character, exemplified by the woeful casting of Keanu Reeves (doing surf Victorian it seems) and the whole tale becomes frankly ludicrous. Why would they deliver a willing vampire and lover of Dracula such as Mina back to the Count? They know nothing of her 'reincarnation'. They'd just put a stake through her heart and be done with it. It seems maybe Oldman got a hold of the original script and demanded his part be made bigger, so they swapped Dracula's and Harker's roles. Film wise, the constant cross fades are pretty annoying (for example, yeah, FFC, you don't need to show me Ryder's face in the painting in Transylvania - I got it) throughout the film and frankly I got bored as it's just too long. As for the end - well, without spoiling it, what then? Another proof that the Dracula/Mina love story is just silly. It's like FFC just stopped filming 'Quick! Titles!' It's a shame - there was obviously a lot of effort put into this film but overall I think most of those involved either didn't read the book or have never been to England. So much of it could have worked if they'd have stuck to the original story. What's next - Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights but Heathcliffe and Catherine spend the whole time having sensual sex and get married in the end?! A wasted opportunity.