Gothic horror with magnificent art direction despite a limp narrative.

Rating: Null/10 (20 June 2003)

`Dangerous Liaisons' meets `Fright Night' in this lavish, over-dressed horror drama. This genre of costume piece-cum-gory horror certainly is an acquired taste to say the least. While it has a `hip' quality to it, the movie is also subtle and sophisticated- not simply a mindless action flick. In fact it could not be further from being an action movie. `Interview with the Vampire' is done in the same style as `Bram Stoker's Dracula' made in 1991. It has familiar props, but a slightly stronger narrative.

Of course, one huge flaw is the homo-erotic overtones, which are made so disturbingly obvious throughout the film. While these may be in tone with the period in question, they make the movie all the harder to sit through and for the most part are unintentionally funny. Even in the most serious scenes, it's hard to resist laughing at the effeminacy of all the characters. If someone dressed like that in the modern era they'd simply be laughed at (deservedly). I mean, let's face it- there's vampirism, and there's just plain gay! `InterviewÂ…' crosses that fine line one too many times.
Good solid performances from the entire cast, in particular from Tom Cruise. Those expecting the hotshot egotist from `Risky Business' and `Top Gun' will be in for a humble surprise. He creates a bizarre, disturbing, unintentionally funny, highly effeminate yet ultimately compelling character that wouldn't have been done quite as brilliantly by anyone else. He handles the simplest roles and the more complex ones with equal va-va-voom. A very girl-ish Brad Pitt is convincing as the vampire of the title.

Antonio Banderas and Stephen Rea are appropriately creepy in their parts but don't get much of a chance to flesh out their characters. Christian Slater is good as the freaked-out interviewer but, again, doesn't properly develop his character. The surprise talent is from a very young Kirsten Dunst as the child/student/vampire/part-time lover (now THAT is weird). She should get more talented roles in the future and a departure from kitschy sophomoric material.
The narrative and dialogue are below par and simply can't support the movie. Luckily, the real stars of the movie are the magnificent set pieces and costume designs- kudos to art director Dante Ferretti. Lurking in the background is the Oscar nominated soundtrack from Elliot Goldthenal (who won this year for `Frida'). It sets an appropriately moody and atmospheric tone- well paced and impeccable timed. Anna Rice did a good job adapting the screenplay, though perhaps it gets ahead of itself in parts, assuming that we know how it feels to be a vampire.
In conclusion, `Interview with the Vampire' isn't for all tastes, but if you stick with it you'll probably be pleased. Unusual is the fact that the movie ends with Guns' N' Roses playing in the background. This is certainly strange, but it leaves a satisfying taste in the mouth when all is done. My IMDb rating: 6.8/10.