Written by Nathan Mackey

Neil Jordan's 1994 visual interpretation of Anne Rice's vampire series is close to, if not actually one of, my top movies. It is one of the few I could watch time and time again. It presents the life (or lack there of) of a vampire and the trials a vampire must endure to sustain himself during his day to day, wait, strike that, night to night activities. In the cast are some popular peeps, Brad Pit (Louis), and Tom Cruise (Lestat), though it is only fair to say that it is rare for me to enjoy Cruise's performance. I have certainly seen him in lesser films.

The movie starts, rather slowly, with an introduction to the world of a true vampire. Christian Slater (His character's name doesn't really matter) starts the interview, unknowingly, with the living dead. Louis opens by letting him know he was to become his next meal, and realizing that he is talking with an unbeliever, makes a visual example of his abilities and starts his tale. He takes us from present day San Francisco to New Orleans almost 200 years before. We quickly learn that Louis lost his will to live when his wife passed in child birth, and watch as he tempts death by boozing and gambling with thugs. All the while Lestat watches over him with questionable intent. The story continues with a great number of strange encounters, including a creepy child sized Kirsten Dunst, and Antonio Banderas with his most fabulous hair do ever.

Writing about a movie always helps me see things from a different perspective. For example, watching Kirsten Dunst in her role as a helpless young girl used to bother me simply because child actors/actresses commonly disappoint me. But watching the film now, after seeing Kirsten in other roles, I find her early role in Interview With a Vampire was aptly appointed because it made use of her true calling. She was, and still is, a helpless actor, and for all I know a helpless individual in general.

Louis is the most unhappy vampire you are likely to meet, and dangerous. He complains about his purpose in unlife, and he's a downer throughout the movie. Fortunately for him, he is essential to the story, otherwise he would be unbearable. One more thing, remember to tread lightly when dealing with Louis. Every time he gets pissed off he burns a building down. If you have him to dinner, please, please, please be sure your insurance is up to date. Just something to toss around in the old noodle.

My distaste for Tom Cruise is far too vast to waste my... no, anyone's time by putting it all in print, so I'll be brief and stick to the basics. Through the whole movie, he never got the hang of the fake teeth. He sounded like he had a ball of wax in his mouth. Why was Cruise the only one afflicted? All of the other actors, even the child, seemed to be able to cope. On the positive side, Lestat is “colorful” as they come. If he had been portrayed any more fruity, the part could have been played by Elton John's hand bag.

Like Cruise, I think Antonio Banderas is & not swell. He was blessed to be in one of my favorite movies. The man belongs in Spy Kids. Armand's place in the film was important, and thankfully brief. He aids Louis in escaping eternal incarceration, and reveals himself as another very “colorful” individual who may be the matching shoes to Lestat's bag. Louis keeps some distance from each, though there may have been some form of relations going on. But hey, who am I to question? They're here, they're vampires, get used to it.

I loved this film. The special effects were killer for the time. The wardrobe was great throughout all the different styles, and who could forget the best scene in the whole movie-Louis feeding off poodles while an old lady freaks out. Yeah, I loved it too. My only real complaint, brought to my attention by my editor, is that some of the sound effects were over the top. No matter what they bite (rat, poodle, or man), or where they bite (wrist, finger, belly, or neck) it sounds like they're biting into an apple.

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