Alright, let's face it. This film is basically Neil Jordan redirecting his Interview with the Vampire with the genders switched. Instead of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt we have Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan. And instead of Domiziana Giordano we have Caleb Landry Jones. The themes have certain similarities, questioning the morality of being a vampire and the supposed burden of eternal life. There's even a sect of older vampires they have to evade.
Yet I wouldn't call this a flaw. Had a movie like this one been done by any other director, the obvious similarities would have been clear plagiarism, but with Neil Jordan it's more like he's re-examining his original creation and trying to give it a new twist. It's still a bit lazy, because the stories are not so different, but there's enough new stuff here to satisfy those that have seen Interview.
I especially like the mythos they build for this film. It's not strictly traditional in how it treats its vampires, what with the ability to withstand daylight and all that, but it retains enough of those familiar aspects to deserve the moniker of a vampire film. But most importantly it feels like one. The tone is dark and Gothic, the origin of vampires is impressively threatening and creepy, the film doesn't shy away from the horror and as a whole it doesn't feel like its trying to pander to the young female demographic.
The final commendation goes to the actors. Both Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan are very talented actresses and it shows here. Both of them play their roles beautifully and show us two different personalities, who both just happen to be vampires. They have great chemistry together and it never feels sexualized, like it shouldn't. They're mother and daughter and it feels like it. Caleb Landry Jones's Frank is also an interesting character. Perhaps a bit whiny, but for a good reason.
This film shines because of its visual style, its captivating new take on the vampire genre and the talents of its two main leads. I'd recommend this one to anyone who wants to see vampires taken seriously once again, as well as to any fan of bleak, dark and Gothic.
Yet I wouldn't call this a flaw. Had a movie like this one been done by any other director, the obvious similarities would have been clear plagiarism, but with Neil Jordan it's more like he's re-examining his original creation and trying to give it a new twist. It's still a bit lazy, because the stories are not so different, but there's enough new stuff here to satisfy those that have seen Interview.
I especially like the mythos they build for this film. It's not strictly traditional in how it treats its vampires, what with the ability to withstand daylight and all that, but it retains enough of those familiar aspects to deserve the moniker of a vampire film. But most importantly it feels like one. The tone is dark and Gothic, the origin of vampires is impressively threatening and creepy, the film doesn't shy away from the horror and as a whole it doesn't feel like its trying to pander to the young female demographic.
The final commendation goes to the actors. Both Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan are very talented actresses and it shows here. Both of them play their roles beautifully and show us two different personalities, who both just happen to be vampires. They have great chemistry together and it never feels sexualized, like it shouldn't. They're mother and daughter and it feels like it. Caleb Landry Jones's Frank is also an interesting character. Perhaps a bit whiny, but for a good reason.
This film shines because of its visual style, its captivating new take on the vampire genre and the talents of its two main leads. I'd recommend this one to anyone who wants to see vampires taken seriously once again, as well as to any fan of bleak, dark and Gothic.