Just an all time favorite of mine for so many reasons. The performances are bonkers. I wrote before that a great movie maker turned a couple of maniacs loose in their prime maniac years and it made for a brilliantly theatrical version of this story.
I have loved this movie from the moment I saw it as a teenager. It defined Winona Ryder’s, I don’t know how to say it, persona(?), career(?). I don’t know if either is right, but I’ll say it’s the role I think of when I think of her. And there are some absolute greats to think of. But this is the one for me.
It strays from the original text—another of my all time favorites—but also holds true. I’ll keep watching this until I can’t anymore. Here are the favorite things from this viewing:- The opening sequence—it sets the tone with an emotional (and again theatrical) sequence enhanced fully by the score. I’ll mention it every time.
- Just excruciating detail, like the guy(s) sliding down pikes in the battlefield
- Gary Oldman’s Dracula is my standard until the next great comes along. I just love the accent in the first act castle stuff. The way he says “The Order of the Dracul” while pointing to the painting – mwah.
- The nerds courting Lucy. Oh man, those guys are just fools, but earnest men who take their roles in their lives’ stations seriously. They’re all very honorable in sticking with he team and sacrificing of themselves. I love these guys.
- Plenty has been said, but Tom Waits. Good god that guy is awesome in this.
- “Civilization and Syphillization have advanced together”
- Cary Elwes brings it with “What in god’s name is going on up here?!”
- Jonathan’s escape follows the same path as Elizabeta’s—into the river.
- Anthony Hopkins humping Quincey’s (Billy Campbell) leg.
- Does Renfield try to save Mina? Or was he trying to get her to leave so Dracula would forget her and turn back to him?
- Renfield really gets a raw deal, man.
- The bite on Mina’s neck was ouch. Violent.
- Turning into the rats to escape the posse—pro-ass move.
- How the heck did Dracula trick the pursuing group, like, three times? Three times! They were dopes, and he almost got away.
- When the sun sets and Dracula comes out of the crate—that is some just about to be killer action stuff, then his throat is just fucking cut by Jonathan. Cold.
I watched this time with my daughter, who was seeing it for the first time. She was a bit entertained by the earnestness, which absolutely looks ironic this day and age. I think she said 3.5 stars, and I think at least half a star was to appease me. She laughed a bit, and I totally got it. I just see it differently. That’s pretty cool and fine with me.
Finally, again, I love this one.