The Faces Of Dracula
(WIP)
“Dracula, the story of the greatest lover who ever lived.”
- ‘Dracula’, Dir. John Badham
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
Such a beautifully romantic portrait of the time and story, with a thoroughly breathtaking image constantly portrayed throughout the film -- each room set out and painted in such a seductively sultry way. The cast: Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Hopkins, (...) all so EXTREMELY talented and well-cast. I adore Keanu Reeves and think he is such a fabulous choice for Jonathan. My only criticism relating to credits is Gary Oldman.
What vampire fan looks at Gary Oldman in this film and exclaims, "Oh yeah, that's MY Dracula"? Answer: Nobody. The hair, the makeup, and the wardrobe were all devastating mistakes. The ironic fact within this is that Gary Oldman portrays a far more tasteful and accurate Count Dracula without that fucking wig and prosthetics. He is so beautiful with striking features, just as Stoker describes him in the book. LITERALLY at the beginning of the film (and later in the film where he comes to London to haunt Mina… dude i’d be on my knees in a second for him), you see Dracula when he was younger - HELLO, he looks so perfectly vampiric and handsome! A long, richly dark mane rather than (what looks like) a grey ass on his head. I have no clue what happened in the writers' room with that one.
As a positive contrast, whenever there is a switch back to Mina Murray (Winona Ryder), waiting back in London, it makes me rethink my dislike towards the film. The gardens that you find her in are so breathtaking and romantic, with her dresses swimming around in the amalgamation of blues and greens... it makes her look like a butterfly. It is not only Ryder who appears as a painting to me in this film, but all of the women in their gorgeous costumes are just so enchanting, I cannot even describe how much I adore them. If only castle Dracula was portrayed beautifully, also... we are severely missing out!
Pretty good portrayal of the story, certainly some jumping around, but that is just what cinema adaptations do.
Additionally, I'm not even going to bother talking about that fucking accent that Gary Oldman does. What. Guys. C'mon.
“I have crossed oceans to find you….”
Dracula (1931)
So enchanting so beautifully poetic my goodness. How could I ever conjure the words to describe how this film makes me feel. It just feels like Me. it’s what my mind longs for in cinema: the image of beauty, lust, romance, hunger, love…Every single frame is a work of art to me, this movie calls to me on such a deep level. So fucking sensual and gentle and gorgeous Fuck. Absolutely love this film.The erotic undertones in this film are incredibly powerful and effective, the romance and the desire is so well written and painted out for the audience. I can just sense every emotion portrayed on-screen, it moves me as a whole every single time. Bela is an excellent choice for Dracula, obviously, but a part of me feels as though he is too male looking for my taste LOL. I’m very particular about the vampires I like! sue me. I’ve fallen inlove with the idea of vampires with thick, animalistic manes of hair, big emotional eyes, a very queerly feminine vampire but with strong overriding masculine features. Bela doesn’t necessarily match this description, but that doesn’t mean I think he makes a bad Dracula whatsoever. He is definitely my favourite, and for the time, he still has a very queer vibe to him.
All the expression and lust in this film is a large reason why it appeals to me so much, I cannot thank a film more for practically turning me into who I am today.
