I would give this 10 stars if they had rewritten the female lead, made it a four-hour film, and cast an actress who could actually ACT as the leading lady.
The story here is that Los Angeles is experiencing a series of murders in which the victims (all homeless) are found drained of blood. When another victim is found - also bled dry - shouts of "vampire" are being heard, even though this latest victim doesn't fit the pattern of the other murders.
Enter Nick Knight, an LA cop who works the night shift, and works it alone, successfully hiding the fact that he is a vampire. When working the case, he finds himself saddled with an unwanted partner (John Kapelos) and falling for an archaeologist (Laura Johnson).
I would have liked to see a much longer movie, since the length of this film didn't spend enough time on introducing the characters or showing what is important in their lives. It just throws the action at the viewer. We don't know why Knight suddenly finds himself attracted to this archaeologist, we don't get to see their relationship blossom, and we don't find out enough about his private life.
One of the real mysteries here is, why was Laura Johnson cast? Why was she even allowed near the set? She is supposed to be a strong, resourceful woman, but she behaves like a walking bundle of neuroses. She looks weird, too. Granted, the character does some pretty stupid things, but Johnson makes you think that she's always incompetent and incapable of relating to anyone. It was a rotten casting choice; boos to the person who picked her for the role.
On the plus side, Springfield fits into his role as if it had been written specifically for him. He has too few acting parts, but when he's on screen, you can't take your eyes off him. He has that charisma that is found all too rarely even among actors who make acting their sole source of income. Springfield, as a best-selling musician, certainly doesn't need to act to provide himself with an income; I, however, am VERY glad to see him whenever he does act. He even overcomes Johnson's complete lack of sexual attractiveness, and does it effortlessly; how, I don't know. It's a shame Neil Jordan didn't cast an eye at Springfield for "Interview with the Vampire".
Take a look. It's now available on DVD.
The story here is that Los Angeles is experiencing a series of murders in which the victims (all homeless) are found drained of blood. When another victim is found - also bled dry - shouts of "vampire" are being heard, even though this latest victim doesn't fit the pattern of the other murders.
Enter Nick Knight, an LA cop who works the night shift, and works it alone, successfully hiding the fact that he is a vampire. When working the case, he finds himself saddled with an unwanted partner (John Kapelos) and falling for an archaeologist (Laura Johnson).
I would have liked to see a much longer movie, since the length of this film didn't spend enough time on introducing the characters or showing what is important in their lives. It just throws the action at the viewer. We don't know why Knight suddenly finds himself attracted to this archaeologist, we don't get to see their relationship blossom, and we don't find out enough about his private life.
One of the real mysteries here is, why was Laura Johnson cast? Why was she even allowed near the set? She is supposed to be a strong, resourceful woman, but she behaves like a walking bundle of neuroses. She looks weird, too. Granted, the character does some pretty stupid things, but Johnson makes you think that she's always incompetent and incapable of relating to anyone. It was a rotten casting choice; boos to the person who picked her for the role.
On the plus side, Springfield fits into his role as if it had been written specifically for him. He has too few acting parts, but when he's on screen, you can't take your eyes off him. He has that charisma that is found all too rarely even among actors who make acting their sole source of income. Springfield, as a best-selling musician, certainly doesn't need to act to provide himself with an income; I, however, am VERY glad to see him whenever he does act. He even overcomes Johnson's complete lack of sexual attractiveness, and does it effortlessly; how, I don't know. It's a shame Neil Jordan didn't cast an eye at Springfield for "Interview with the Vampire".
Take a look. It's now available on DVD.