I came across this movie on Netflix streaming, it caught my attention for Saoirse Ronan who is such an accomplished young actress. The Vampire genre isn't very high on my list but I went into this one with an open mind. I was rewarded handsomely.
The story spanning a bit more than 200 years from 1804 to present day is in itself interesting and well-told. The story-telling approach is to let us know early what is going on in present day, and that these characters are over 200 years old and must live on fresh blood. But the complete story of how all this came to be is unfolded only very gradually until at the end we know everything we need to know.
But to me the best part of the movie are the cinematography, the musical score, and the many expertly done scenes throughout the movie. Each one of them is a work of art and when it is all said and done a very gripping movie.
Saoirse Ronan stars as Eleanor and she carries the movie well. Her constant companion is Gemma Arterton as Clara. Early on something happens that causes them to leave town in a hurry and end up in a seaside village in England. (Filming was done in both England and Ireland). Eleanor and Clara are opposites of sorts, while Clara shamelessly seduces men and brings them to a secluded location to take them, Eleanor has a more gentle approach and only takes those who are otherwise ready to depart this life.
The third character I will mention is young Texan Caleb Landry Jones as Frank, a boy with Leukemia who befriends Eleanor. The young man has an unusual look about him that fits very well with the overall story and his acting in this role is super.
SPOILERS: Clara is actually Eleanor's mother, impregnated when as a teen was forced into prostitution. She was supposed to kill the newborn but couldn't bring herself to do it and sneaked the baby to a religious orphanage, her note requesting that the baby be told her mother was dead. All that happened in 1804, and in ensuing years both got with a Vampire clan that resulted in their being turned, and they forever were to appear the age that happened. In the end Eleanor helped Frank on the remote island and her voice-over is, "I am Eleanor Webb. I throw my story to the wind and never will I tell it more. Another one begins. "
The story spanning a bit more than 200 years from 1804 to present day is in itself interesting and well-told. The story-telling approach is to let us know early what is going on in present day, and that these characters are over 200 years old and must live on fresh blood. But the complete story of how all this came to be is unfolded only very gradually until at the end we know everything we need to know.
But to me the best part of the movie are the cinematography, the musical score, and the many expertly done scenes throughout the movie. Each one of them is a work of art and when it is all said and done a very gripping movie.
Saoirse Ronan stars as Eleanor and she carries the movie well. Her constant companion is Gemma Arterton as Clara. Early on something happens that causes them to leave town in a hurry and end up in a seaside village in England. (Filming was done in both England and Ireland). Eleanor and Clara are opposites of sorts, while Clara shamelessly seduces men and brings them to a secluded location to take them, Eleanor has a more gentle approach and only takes those who are otherwise ready to depart this life.
The third character I will mention is young Texan Caleb Landry Jones as Frank, a boy with Leukemia who befriends Eleanor. The young man has an unusual look about him that fits very well with the overall story and his acting in this role is super.
SPOILERS: Clara is actually Eleanor's mother, impregnated when as a teen was forced into prostitution. She was supposed to kill the newborn but couldn't bring herself to do it and sneaked the baby to a religious orphanage, her note requesting that the baby be told her mother was dead. All that happened in 1804, and in ensuing years both got with a Vampire clan that resulted in their being turned, and they forever were to appear the age that happened. In the end Eleanor helped Frank on the remote island and her voice-over is, "I am Eleanor Webb. I throw my story to the wind and never will I tell it more. Another one begins. "