Contributing to the nearly overblown
vampire canon would not necessarily seem like a wise choice for a
filmmaker. While the stories have stretched back as far as films themselves, our recent perception of vampire folklore has been
diluted by the likes of 'Twilight' and rendered nearly pointless. How
refreshing, then, to see a film that lurks in the shadows, trods
slowly forward, and leaves nearly all the gore and macabre imagery off-screen.
It's slow-paced, mysterious, and sexy, and one fine horror film (if
you feel comfortable classifying it as such).
Our story begins with the hunt for
blood, and what sounds like the most tasty: O negative. It fills the
mouthes of our main characters with a nearly euphoric high. We meet
Eve (the ever-sensual Tilda Swinton), a vampire residing in Tangier
along with fellow vampire Christopher Marlowe (yes, of Shakespeare
fame, played by the trusty John Hurt). Her husband Adam (Tom
Hiddleston), a reclusive musician with an ear for the classical and
fame in heavy rock, lives in a dilapidated house on the outskirts of
Detroit. They seem to survive on the trust in others. Eve gets her
blood supply from Marlowe, while Adam has a human aide (he calls
humans 'zombies') who runs all sorts of errands for him. Sensing a
loneliness in Adam (and reinforced by our knowledge of his
commissioning a wooden bullet), she journeys to see him (redeye
flights all the way, of course).
The movie moves forward with a cool
confidence and an eclectic soundtrack that spans the decades. In a
way, the movie is almost an ode to the underground music scene of the
times. We don't move from plot point to plot point so much as we move
from setting to setting, taking in the scenery and perhaps feeling
the way these characters feel, doomed to live for eternity in their
young bodies. Adam collects guitars, violins, and Eve collects books.
Along with her eternal life, she is also blessed with the ability to
date something by touch. Without looking, she is able to determine
Adam's guitar is a 1905 Gibson. That, and she can read an entire book
in mere minutes. I suppose living that long comes with a few benefits.
Tilda Swinton continues to impress with
her wide range of roles and support of the independent film scene.
The Oscar winner could surely pursue any film project she desires,
and yet we find her in the smallest films, mostly going unnoticed,
and yet reminding us she is truly one of the best living actors. She moves slowly and with purpose, filling the screen with an otherworldly sensuality that only someone with Swinton's repertoire could create. The
same could be said for Hiddleston, growing in fame, and yet a
visceral force of being in this film. He speaks little, appears unkempt,
but his presence demands our attention (and perhaps is what draws Eve
to him).
The movie is shot in near darkness, and
the few lights in the film are stark and cold. Living out life during
the night, the film is also curiously devoid of other characters,
making it a curiously intimate story of love and omnipotence. Whether or not you will see this movie is up to you (and with its limited release, I wish you luck in finding it). Amongst all the sludge currently in cimenas not, this is
a smart film.
(Awards potential: Best Original
Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography)
