"Bram Stoker's Dracula" Review

 

by Daniel White

Shocktober

Poor Francis Ford Coppola. First he had to contend with directing his daughter, Sofia, in The Godfather lll. She ably demonstrates the evils of nepotism by stinking up the screen. Then he gets saddled with Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992). As wooden as the stakes used to destroy the infamous vampire, Reeves offers up a stand-out performance. It stands out by being incompetent. while the rest of the cast is expertly delivering the goods. However, even the woefully inept Reeves can't torpedo this project: Coppola has given us one of the best versions of the Dracula story ever filmed. A luscious, visually-breathtaking fright flick, he and scenarist James V. Hart have revitalized the familiar tale.

The script was originally brought to Coppola's attention by Winona Ryder, who was eager to play Mina. They had been scheduled to work together on the Godfather film, but Ryder withdrew from that project, citing nervous exhaustion (leading to you know who doing you know what). It's easy to see why Hollywood's newest screen sensation was eager to tackle the role. Mina is not a passive victim in this retelling. She is a proper, yet curious young lady, who is sexually awakened by her involvement with the impassioned Prince Vlad (Gary Oldman). It's a modern retelling of the story, the power (and danger) of female sexuality, but it doesn't detract from the film. And while the emphasis is on romance, the horror aspect has not been ignored. This is a bloody, violent, startling affair with plenty of gore.

Coppola should be praised too for his decision to craft the movie entirely in the studio and to forsake any computer driven special effects. It's an exquisite production that triumphs over any CGI-laden bore fest. Praise for Gary Oldman as well for delivering a Dracula that is equal parts chilling fiend and besotted lover. Does he overact at times? Yes, but it's understandable, especially in his scenes with the comatose Reeves. Anthony Hopkins provides the humor as the eccentric Abraham Van Helsing. Direct, socially unskilled, and dogged, kudos to the great Welsh actor for infusing the part with funny.

Every aspect of this movie of the macabre stands out. The music, the make-up, the costumes, the set designs, and the art direction, all handled by pros at the top of their game. The film was produced by Coppola's company, American Zoetrope, and distributed by Columbia. It was an understandable box office smash, successful both critically and commercially.

With a lustful Sadie Frost as Lucy, an impressive Tom Waits as Renfield, and Richard E.Grant as Dr. Jack Seward, Bram Stoker's Dracula is available on YouTube.