`Shadow of the Vampire' is one of those odd films that is completely and utterly predictable . . . and yet it's fascinating nonetheless. Anyone watching this film will know within the first twenty minutes more or less what will happen and how the film will end. It doesn't matter. `Shadow of the Vampire' is proof that sometimes the journey is far more important and enjoyable than the destination.
An extremely fictional look at the making of the real silent film classic `Nosferatu', `Shadow of the Vampire' is about the quest of German film director F.W. Murnau (John Malkovich) to make a perfect horror film. Rebuffed in his attempts to purchase the rights to Bram Stoker's `Dracula', Murnau nevertheless decides to make a horror film about the vampire `Count Orlock', one which he will film on location in the Transylvania region instead of in Germany. Once there, Murnau explains to his production crew that his new film `Nosferatu' will star a brilliant method actor named Max Schreck (Willam Dafoe) as Count Orlock. According to Murnau, Schreck is a consummate `method actor' in fact, the mysterious man is so immersed in his `role' as a vampire that no one will be allow to see him out of his make-up, and filming is only to take place at night. Reluctantly, the crew (and Murnau's financial backers) agree to these unorthodox filming requirements, but as production of `Nosferatu' gets underway, members of the film crew start to either fall ill or completely vanish altogether. Murnau realizes that in order to finish his masterpiece, he'll have to do it fast. Otherwise, the `method actor' known as Max Schreck who is, in fact, a real vampire may feed on his entire production crew, and there may be nobody left alive to finish the film . . .
Because the actual film `Nosferatu' is real (and, incidentally, outstanding), and because `Shadow of the Vampire' is faithful to `Nosferatu' to a large degree (except, well, for the part about Max Schreck being a real vampire), `Shadow of the Vampire' is by nature predictable. There's no doubt as to whether or not the film will be completed, or whether or not other members of the cast will drive a stake through `Schreck's' heart before the film is completed. The events of the film are known, and are predictable, so there's little suspense in guessing what will happen next. What isn't known is HOW things will happen. `Shadow of the Vampire' is very much a film of details. Learning why `Schreck' agreed to be in the film, learning why Murnau is so obsessed with perfection, learning why Greta (Catherine McCormack) is specifically chosen to be the leading lady in `Nosferatu' these details, while not always crucial to the outcome of the film, are what make `Shadow of the Vampire' a very engaging, compelling story.
The performances at least the majority of them are nothing short of brilliant. Willam Dafoe IS Max Schreck in this film. Not for one second does he look or act like anything even remotely human. He takes a difficult role a monster who only dimly remembers what is was once like to be human and plays it with such natural ease, it's nothing short of astonishing. At times, Dafoe actually turns Schreck into a sad, pitiful creature, which is even more impressive considering that at other times Schreck is little more than a savage killing machine. Dafoe is just amazing to watch in this film. Malkovich is impressive as well as the obsessed director Murnau, who's more than willing to make deals with the devil or, in this case, with a vampire in order to realize his artistic visions. In a way, Murnau and `Max Schreck' are uncomfortably similar characters; both are dependent creatures who have lost contact with normal human relationships. Catherine McCormack is perfect as Greta, a stage diva who looks at film work as beneath contempt; the fate that awaits her character is perhaps gruesome . .. but after watching her interact with the other characters, it's hardly surprising. The only character who I found slightly disappointing was Cary Elwes as the cinematographer Fritz Wagner for whatever reason, he just didn't seem to properly fit into the film. His lines seemed forced, and he seemed completely out of sync with the rest of the cast. Every time he appeared onscreen, he seemed so absolutely out of place that it became distracting. Perhaps this was more an instance of every other actor sliding so effortlessly into their roles, rather than an instance of hideous miscasting . . . but I doubt it.
As for the look of the film well, it evokes the dark, somber feel of a silent horror film perfectly. Everything is either dark and littered with longing shadows, or hints in some ways at something quite disturbing. There's very little in terms of pure gore (although the gore that does occur is quite spectacular), but the eerie mood set by `Shadow of the Vampire' is darn near perfect. Storywise well, again, there's no real surprises or Keyser Soze moments, but the writing is still good. There's a lot of neat parallels made between the so-called `normal' characters and the vampire who walks among them; is there really much difference between a man who craves fame at any cost and a vampire who craves blood at any cost? `Shadow of the Vampire' is a movie that relishes the small details, and the details are so good, it's relatively easily to forgive the obscene predictability of the plot. The only complaint I had was the ending, which seemed somewhat convoluted . . . but it fit the film, and I'd be hard-pressed to think of anything that would be much better.
`Shadow of the Vampire' is a hard film to pigeonhole into a single category at times, it's a dark comedy; at other times, it's a tragic film; and at still other times, it lives up to its heritage and becomes a truly gripping, disturbing horror film. What's undeniable, though, is that `Shadow of the Vampire' is a smart, savvy film that is phenomenal to watch. It's an offbeat, moody film that may not contain enough gore or action for fans of modern horror . . . but the story's pretty good, and most of the characters (and the actors) are so good, especially Willam Dafoe, that it's outstanding nonetheless. Highly recommended. Grade: A-
An extremely fictional look at the making of the real silent film classic `Nosferatu', `Shadow of the Vampire' is about the quest of German film director F.W. Murnau (John Malkovich) to make a perfect horror film. Rebuffed in his attempts to purchase the rights to Bram Stoker's `Dracula', Murnau nevertheless decides to make a horror film about the vampire `Count Orlock', one which he will film on location in the Transylvania region instead of in Germany. Once there, Murnau explains to his production crew that his new film `Nosferatu' will star a brilliant method actor named Max Schreck (Willam Dafoe) as Count Orlock. According to Murnau, Schreck is a consummate `method actor' in fact, the mysterious man is so immersed in his `role' as a vampire that no one will be allow to see him out of his make-up, and filming is only to take place at night. Reluctantly, the crew (and Murnau's financial backers) agree to these unorthodox filming requirements, but as production of `Nosferatu' gets underway, members of the film crew start to either fall ill or completely vanish altogether. Murnau realizes that in order to finish his masterpiece, he'll have to do it fast. Otherwise, the `method actor' known as Max Schreck who is, in fact, a real vampire may feed on his entire production crew, and there may be nobody left alive to finish the film . . .
Because the actual film `Nosferatu' is real (and, incidentally, outstanding), and because `Shadow of the Vampire' is faithful to `Nosferatu' to a large degree (except, well, for the part about Max Schreck being a real vampire), `Shadow of the Vampire' is by nature predictable. There's no doubt as to whether or not the film will be completed, or whether or not other members of the cast will drive a stake through `Schreck's' heart before the film is completed. The events of the film are known, and are predictable, so there's little suspense in guessing what will happen next. What isn't known is HOW things will happen. `Shadow of the Vampire' is very much a film of details. Learning why `Schreck' agreed to be in the film, learning why Murnau is so obsessed with perfection, learning why Greta (Catherine McCormack) is specifically chosen to be the leading lady in `Nosferatu' these details, while not always crucial to the outcome of the film, are what make `Shadow of the Vampire' a very engaging, compelling story.
The performances at least the majority of them are nothing short of brilliant. Willam Dafoe IS Max Schreck in this film. Not for one second does he look or act like anything even remotely human. He takes a difficult role a monster who only dimly remembers what is was once like to be human and plays it with such natural ease, it's nothing short of astonishing. At times, Dafoe actually turns Schreck into a sad, pitiful creature, which is even more impressive considering that at other times Schreck is little more than a savage killing machine. Dafoe is just amazing to watch in this film. Malkovich is impressive as well as the obsessed director Murnau, who's more than willing to make deals with the devil or, in this case, with a vampire in order to realize his artistic visions. In a way, Murnau and `Max Schreck' are uncomfortably similar characters; both are dependent creatures who have lost contact with normal human relationships. Catherine McCormack is perfect as Greta, a stage diva who looks at film work as beneath contempt; the fate that awaits her character is perhaps gruesome . .. but after watching her interact with the other characters, it's hardly surprising. The only character who I found slightly disappointing was Cary Elwes as the cinematographer Fritz Wagner for whatever reason, he just didn't seem to properly fit into the film. His lines seemed forced, and he seemed completely out of sync with the rest of the cast. Every time he appeared onscreen, he seemed so absolutely out of place that it became distracting. Perhaps this was more an instance of every other actor sliding so effortlessly into their roles, rather than an instance of hideous miscasting . . . but I doubt it.
As for the look of the film well, it evokes the dark, somber feel of a silent horror film perfectly. Everything is either dark and littered with longing shadows, or hints in some ways at something quite disturbing. There's very little in terms of pure gore (although the gore that does occur is quite spectacular), but the eerie mood set by `Shadow of the Vampire' is darn near perfect. Storywise well, again, there's no real surprises or Keyser Soze moments, but the writing is still good. There's a lot of neat parallels made between the so-called `normal' characters and the vampire who walks among them; is there really much difference between a man who craves fame at any cost and a vampire who craves blood at any cost? `Shadow of the Vampire' is a movie that relishes the small details, and the details are so good, it's relatively easily to forgive the obscene predictability of the plot. The only complaint I had was the ending, which seemed somewhat convoluted . . . but it fit the film, and I'd be hard-pressed to think of anything that would be much better.
`Shadow of the Vampire' is a hard film to pigeonhole into a single category at times, it's a dark comedy; at other times, it's a tragic film; and at still other times, it lives up to its heritage and becomes a truly gripping, disturbing horror film. What's undeniable, though, is that `Shadow of the Vampire' is a smart, savvy film that is phenomenal to watch. It's an offbeat, moody film that may not contain enough gore or action for fans of modern horror . . . but the story's pretty good, and most of the characters (and the actors) are so good, especially Willam Dafoe, that it's outstanding nonetheless. Highly recommended. Grade: A-