Vampiro

I'm a huge a vampire horror/romance fan and I thought this movie delivered that romance, mystery, and horror found in most vampire stories. Alex (played by the physically stunning Julian Sands) is a lonely vampire still mourning the loss of his lover, Virginia. He spends most of his time brooding the streets and hanging around the local library until one day he meets Ann (Suzanna Hamilton, a wonderful actress who seemed to have disappeared after a good body of work) who bears a striking resemblence to Virginia. Like Alex, Ann is alone and in mourning of her lover who died in an accident. Through bizarre circumstances brought on by a mysterious man, Ann and Alex become drawn and attracted to one another.

I loved the relationship between Alex and Ann. Filled with tension, repulsion, regret, sadness, longing, and desperation. The film is flawed because it moves at a slow pace, but the story itself is good. The performances by Sands and Hamilton are good and does not play out the cheesiness of the whole swooning into the vampire's arms routine. Ann is real and lovely to Alex while she is touched by his sadness and drawn by his mystery. It's a vampire movie that tries not to play the same formula and plays as a human drama of two very different beings.

Best vampire movie I have seen in a long time.

I have many vampire films and quite enjoy the genre. Unfortunately most vampire (or horror, for that matter) films go for action and gore instead of more subtle approaches. Which is where this film really shines. Slow and Plot-Driven would be the keywords for this film, as there is not much violence and the gore that is included is merely there so we can see the main character for the monster he is, as well is his human side, for the added contrast.

The performances by the actors are on the whole good, the settings are truly excellent and ambient light and sounds are used with great attention and a certain amount of style, and create exactly the right atmosphere at each moment. One such instant would be every time the vampire (Sands) is in a dark scene with another character, nice use of lighting to show his heightened senses. The script is also solid, with good dialogue and character development.

I can understand those who dislike the film, though. It IS slow, and for those who just meant to grab a quick and violent vampire flick, this is not the right movie. On the other hand, if you enjoy the vampire mythos and would like to see a film driven by characters and a good script (as opposed to ultraviolence to a frantic techno beat) then this film is for you.

The lack of huge fangs was also a nice change, this vampire is mostly human, and the eroticism of the vampire legend is not lost in this film, and believably carried by the actors.

Highly recommended (for the right audience)

This film isn't about plot or dialogue so much as it is about angles, style and lighting technique. The plot moves slowly so the watcher can enjoy the express talents of the director's shot choices.

Julian Sands is riveting, capturing the personality of a slightly deranged vampire riddled with heartache and centuries of guilt, while Suzanna Hamilton portrays a woman beside her own wits with grief. The shift between plotlines is especially brilliant when they collide with present moments in time.

I would recommend this movie to anyone who can appreciate a good art film.

If your idea of vampire films involves buckets of blood, fast-paced action, a ton of ultra-violence, a fair bit of sex, then more blood, this film will not be for you. You will be bored stiff, and will find little satisfying in this film.

However, for those people who can appreciate something more than that, and value the more subtle approaches to filmaking, then this is definitely worth a look.

This is an art-house style movie, with a good, and suitably heart-wrenching story, directed, filmed and lit in a stunningly beautiful, and thoughtful way.

Acting is superb throughout, but its the sets, the lighting, and the film work itself that make this film shine. And it does. I didn't find it boring, or even particularly slow paced. I had enormous empathy for the situations of both main characters, and was pleased that the ending avoided all the cinematic clichés of the past 50 years.

You could view it as depressing, and in many ways it is, but I don't mind that in a film. If I want inane one-liners, and throw-away vampire entertainment, I'll watch Buffy, or Blade. If I want something a bit more intelligent, thought-provoking, and different, then this is it.

I happily award this film 10 / 10 - I haven't enjoyed a film as much as I did this one for quite some time. i will be buying it on DVD.

Vampire falls in love with a woman who looks an awful lot like a long lost love of his who died many centuries ago. However, a pesky doctor seems to know more then he is letting on and seems to have an evil motive. All three leads are exceptional (as far as horror movies go), the sets are well done, and the premise & story is intelligent & interesting, but the snail like pace almost does in a fine horror film.

Rated R; Violence.