Interview with the Vampire is a Wonderful Film Adaptation of the 1976 Novel

Release: 1994
Directed by: Neil Jordan
Written by: Anne Rice (Screenplay and Novel)

Starring:
Brad Pitt as Louis de Pointe du Lac
Christian Slater as Daniel Malloy
Tom Cruise as Lestat de Lioncourt
Kirsten Dunst as Claudia
Antonio Banderas as Armand

I have heard the horror movie Interview with The Vampire called many things by many people in the past including “Vampire Soap Opera” (wasn’t that Dark Shadows? hmmmmm) and “The Homoerotic Vampire Movie” (snickers...maybe a bit). My favorite one however, and I can’t remember who said it, is “The Harlequin Romance Novel version of a vampire movie”. That one is just priceless.

I call it something else. I call it one of the best, maybe even the best vampire movie available today. I'll explain why after I get some plot up. There are several spoilers here so be warned.

Interview With The Vampire is well known the world over and even slightly engraved in current culture. Based upon Anne Rice's groundbreaking books from decades ago that reinvented the vampire legend and turned it upside down. This movie begins with vampire Louis (Brad Pitt), a very dramatic almost depressed character, inviting a reporter (Christian Slater) who has been following him through modern day San Francisco to hear his life story and get the word out on it.

Louis begins the fascinating tale of how he was a wealthy yet grieving plantation owner made into a Vampire in the late 1700's New Orleans by a vampire named Lestat (Tom Cruise). Lestat tried to teach him the ways of the vampire and of killing, but Louis never could get used to the one activity necessary for a Vampire’s survival – taking human life. Louis becomes bitter and angry with Lestat for giving him “the dark gift”. In an attempt to ease Louis’ pain and create a “Vampire Family” Lestat turns a young girl, Claudia (Kirsten Dunst), into a Vampire as well.

Claudia keeps Louis and Lestat company for many years until she too grows angry at what Lestat has made them. From there Louis and Claudio perpetrate what they believe to be Lestat's murder and take off on a ship bound for Europe to find others of their kind. While in Europe they find Armand (Antonio Banderas) and his theatre group made up of vampires in Paris. Louis's search for answers ends up bringing nothing but trouble to him and Claudia in Paris when the other vampires discover what they did to Lestat and plan to avenge him.

 I could say so much more on the plot, but I may be here all night. Interview with the Vampire is a must see movie of epic proportions. The movie spans time and place from the 1700s up to present and features a superb all-star cast as well as amazing production values. One of my all time favorite horror movies, Interview with the Vampire does stray from the original book a bit, but makes up for it in style.

The characters, especially Lestat, have achieved Dracula-like fame over the years, and deservingly so. This movie accomplishes the difficult feat of putting a new twist on the old vampire tale through human emotions and feelings.

Out of ten stars I would actually give Interview with the Vampire......Ten Stars. It is that good. This is a long movie but the epic tale is sure to hold your attention throughout. If you have not yet seen it, I strongly recommend you do so. Questions or comments about Interview with the Vampire? Contact us!

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