Shadow of the Vampire

[Mofo Rising]

Every once in a while you watch a movie that gives forth a vibe of pure happiness.  This isn't one of them.

SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE is a film dealing with the creation of the legendary NOSFERATU.  The conceit is that the actor portraying Count Orlock, Max Schreck, was actually a real vampire.

From the previews I would've guessed a sort of camp atmosphere.  While there are some funny moments, overall the film is pretty bleak.  It portrays human monsters against a quite real one.  There is a continual low-grade horror going on here, a mundane dread permeating every scene.  At least that's what I thought.

I thought it was interesting, although I've never seen NOSFERATU, which probably would've increased my enjoyment.  William Dafoe disappears into his makeup while John Malkovich plays John Malkovich.  Udo Kier is here too.  I'd give it four slimes.

First REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, now this.  I think a viewing of NATIONAL LAMPOON'S LOADED WEAPON 1 is in order.

[Alisa]

yes, it sounds to me like you need to see the movie Love & a  .45.

[Paul Westbrook]

I really found SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE to be a unique piece of cinematic work. Mixing fact, and fiction creates for the viewer a creepy atmospheric tale of a WHAT IF scenario. Murnau, the director of Nosferatu comes across, as overbearing, with a brash sense of arrogance. Williem Dafoe brings authenticity to his dark portrayal of Shrek, the actor who played the title vampire Count Orlock. The movie itself evokes terror, and dread, as Shrek allows his role to clearly become his dominate persona. Man or Vampire? Who Knows?

[Chunkstyle]

"...while John Malkovich plays John Malkovich." I'm glad someone else said it before I had to myself. Malkovich still did a pretty good job with the role, mind you, but it never seemed to be much of a stretch for the guy.

Anyway... Shadow of the Vampire.

I really wasn't sure what to expect tone-wise before seeing this flick. I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out. As has been pointed out, this picture could have had a lot of camp value if done in that direction, but it also worked as an out-and-out serious film. Dafoe did a fine job with the titular character -- it actually was deserving of that Oscar nomination, if you ask me.

My favorite scene featured the vampire/Max Shrek taking a few minutes to talk with the drunken producer and writer. Now, I may be alone in this, but I respect the way they didn't bother to fully explain the workings of vampires in this film's universe. They're apparently immortal, yet still age, and Shrek was somehow or another impotent when it came to making offspring... ...and they didn't go into further into it than that, as far as I could tell.

Anyway. I'd give it 3½ slimes.


Just curious, but did anyone try sitting through the DVD commentary?  "...blah, blah, blah... filmmaker as god... blah, blah... hey, I'm a filmmaker, so I must be a god too! Bwahaha!" Spread that over the length of the picture and you've got the commentary. I fell asleep twice, so I've no idea if it improves.