Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

• Year: 1994
• Released: 11 Nov 1994
• Country: United States
• Adwords: Nominated for 2 Oscars. 24 wins & 36 nominations total
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110148/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Interview_with_the_Vampire
• Metacritics: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/interview-with-the-vampire-the-vampire-chronicles
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: English, French
• MPA Rating: R
• Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
• Runtime: 123 min
• Writer: Anne Rice
• Director: Neil Jordan
• Cast: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas
• Keywords: based on novel or book, 19th century, paris, france, vampire, san francisco, california,

	7.5/10
	59/100
	64% – Critics
	86% – Audience

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles Storyline

A night in San Francisco, during our time: A young journalist follows a man through the streets and they end up in an anonymous room. When the journalist starts to interview the man, the stranger tells him that he is a vampire, being over 200 years old. The journalist doesn’t believe him, but after the man proves it’s true, he tells his story: His name is Louis and in 18th century New Orleans he was 24, by this time owner of an estate and a widower already. One night, when he once again was destroying himself by drinking and other things, he was found by Lestat, a vampire, who bit him. But even after becoming a vampire, life wasn’t fun for Louis until one night he met a little girl, Claudia, who would change his existence forever.

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Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles Movie Reviews

One of the best vampire movies I’ve ever seen

Based on the Anne Rice’s novel and with a screenplay adapted by herself, this film tells the story of Lestat and Louis, two vampires with over three hundred years. Directed by Neil Jordan, has the participation of Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Kirsten Dunst (as a child). It received two nominations for the Oscar (Best Art Direction, Best Original Score).

This is the film adaptation of one of the greatest horror novels of this American author, and is even more appealing when we realize that she actively collaborated with the production, signing the adaptation of the script. Indeed, it’s a great script, faithful to the novel and original story. And for me, this movie has another good note: fully escaping the recent “sex symbol vampire” cliché, fueled by movies like “Twilight”, this film depicts vampires as they really should be: monsters with some psychological depth.

The actors are excellent in their roles. The highlight goes obviously to Pitt and Cruise, who were not only perfectly able to give charisma to the characters but also not ignore the importance of the psychological characteristics. Pitt took it to the extreme in his character, torn between the love of his own humanity and the overwhelming desire for blood he feels. The way both actors share the scene is irresistible, such as how Cruise transforms his character in “evil genius” of his friend.

The film contains several very intense scenes with moments that can hurt some sensibilities. Nevertheless, its not a very bloody movie. The atmosphere is dark, sinister, something largely enhanced by the cinematography, dark and misty, and the soundtrack, worthy of a good horror movie (something that this film is definitely not). The special, visual and sound effects are good, such as the characterization and makeup. The costumes are exceptional, portraying accurately the clothes of the several historical periods portrayed throughout the film.

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles

Given author Anne Rice was annoyed by the casting of Tom Cruise as the vampire Lestat. Interview with the Vampire had a very controversial production. Not least the death of River Phoenix who had been cast as a reporter.

However this was the first movie I realised just how good an actor Cruise actually was. Before Cruise had been paired with an older more experienced actor such as Dustin Hoffman or Paul Newman.

Here Cruise blows away most of his co-stars and the film suffers when Lestat disappears from a large portion of the film.

Director Neil Jordan got the gig after winning an Oscar for Best Screenplay for The Crying Game. This is a Grand Guignol Gothic.

In modern San Francisco, reporter Daniel Molloy (Christian Slater) is called to interview Louis (Brad Pitt.) He claims to be a plantation owner from New Orleans and is a vampire who is over 200 years old.

Louis recounts his life story, how he was converted into a vampire by Lestat after the death of his wife in childbirth. Louis initially resists the urge to take human blood while Lestat is a natural predator.

Later Louis finds an orphan Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) who is turned into a vampire and Louis treats her like a daughter. Now Louis is tired of life and immortality.

Despite a cast of good looking Hollywood hunks. Interview with the Vampire after a bloodsoaked beginning becomes ponderous and indigestible. Not helped by the watering down of the gay subtext of the source novel. It robs the film of an important plot element. Pitt and Antonio Banderas are bland. Apart from Cruise, only Stephen Rea stands out as one of the vampires.

Redefined Vampire

For better or worse Anne Rice has redefined what a vampire is in movies and literature. Before there was the Twilight saga there was Anne writing her novels and seeing Interview With A Vampire we see that vampire now means Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. No longer is it Bela Lugosi with his continental suaveness and Hungarian accent.

But Cruise and Pitt are just as deadly, maybe more so. The film is exactly what it says. Journalist Christian Slater has tracked down Brad Pitt whom he interviews. Pitt tells him about his afterlife as a vampire dating from colonial New Orleans with a few highlights in New Orleans and Paris where he settled in the Third Republic years. There’s also young Kirsten Dunst who masters a most difficult role as a child vampire. She’s matured, but rather strangely.

The homoeroticism sticks out all over this film especially with Cruise and Pitt when Cruise takes that bite and initiates him into the vampire existence. What beautiful children they would make it if it were possible.

People who loved the Twilight Saga and other recent vampire films, this is what really starts it. Bela, it’s been nice knowing you.