Take Five
By George Rose
July 14, 2009
I went into the film with two expectations. 1) The movie would be about vampires. 2) I have heard the movie is pretty slow. Both are true. We start the story with Louis the vampire (Brad Pitt) being interviewed by Daniel the mortal (Christian Slater). He recounts his early days, 200 years prior to modern day, as a 24-year-old human who just lost his wife and child. While he claims he no longer fears death, Lestat (Tom Cruise) decides to put this notion to the test. He brings Louis to near death and offers him a choice: die now or live forever. Would there be a film if he chose anything but everlasting life?
Since Louis is a good man, he struggles with the notion of taking the lives of others for his own survival and instead opts to drink animal blood. Lestat enjoys his life as a human bloodsucker and attempts teaching Louis the ways of the vampire, while always keeping full knowledge just out of his reach so as to maintain his position as the leader of their pack. To help keep Louis under control, he converts a young girl, Claudia (Kirsten Dunst), and makes her their "daughter." This gives Louis a newfound purpose but, as you know, children have little control over themselves and she quickly becomes the killer Lestat always wished Louis would be.
However, even Claudia has her limits. After many decades, she learns she will never grow up and become like so many of the full grown women she envies. Together, Louis and Claudia kill Lestat (it takes them two attempts) and they are on their way to venture around the world. They soon discover a band of vampires in Europe and learn that not even their own evils compare to this group of ancient creatures. Their leader, Armand (Antonio Banderas), wishes to take Louis under his wing but the new relationship puts a severe strain on the one already existing with Claudia.
After a series of shocking turns, Louis rids himself of their presence and returns to the now evolving New World in America. Just when you think the movie is wrapping up, Lestat returns for one final encounter. This encounter is only relevant because it contradicts itself so drastically. One minute Lestat has no idea that the lights of a helicopter can't harm him and the next he has mastered the ability to drive a car and use the radio. All I know is that when I was growing up, I learned light bulbs didn't have the same effect as the sun long before I knew how to drive a car. How he does this in reverse is beyond me.
In any case, the movie was entertaining, despite its slow pace and, at times, less than stellar acting. Tom Cruise never rises above someone doing a caricature of a vampire while Brad Pitt takes about half an hour to feel comfortable in his role. I'm surprised Cruise got top billing since it is Pitt that dominates the show and is in much more of the movie. However, much to my surprise, the most redeeming presence is Kirsten Dunst. I have never enjoyed her so much. She bothered me deeply in Spider-Man, but I looked forward to every scene she was in while playing Claudia. Maybe all her creative energy was used up here. Nonetheless, she is wonderful and better than any of the acting vets surrounding her. The movie isn't as good as True Blood but it definitely satisfied my craving for the undead.
Overall Rating: B-
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