A good film that changed on second viewing

Rating: 8/10 (17 January 2001)

The first time I saw this film a few years back I was totally drawn in by the way that Depp played the single-minded and passionate Wood, by Landau's remarkable performance as Lugosi and by a host of other exceptional portrayals of very unusual characters. I watched it again last night and I began to feel a little uncomfortable.
Landau was, of course still brilliant and most of the minor characters still came across as simultaneously believable and unbelievable. But the Wood character seemed colder, where once I saw passion I now began to see ruthlessness, where once there was single-mindedness now there was neglect of responsibility to his cast/friends. I'm not totally sure which Wood I was supposed to beleive - I liked the first one better.
This change in my perception of the lead role suddenly made the film seem overlong (actually at 2 hours plus it IS overlong), made Depp's acting seem a little less convincing and made the whole a less enjoyable (if still engrossing) story.
If you haven't seen it I suggest you do, if you have seen it you might find that things have changed when you watch it again. Still a seven (but I suspect that's likely to change on a third viewing).