In contemporary San Francisco, a vampire named Louis (Brad Pitt) relates his story to a reporter (Christian Slater) and how in 1790, bereft at the death of his wife and child, he allowed himself to be seduced by another vampire (Tom Cruise). Eventually, Louis turns an 11 year old child (Kirsten Dunst) into a vampire and the three form a family. But they will never find joy in their eternal living Hell. Directed by Neil Jordan (THE CRYING GAME) from the novel by Anne Rice (who also did the screenplay), the film doesn't romanticize vampirism as revisionists have done in recent years. It's a hideous, depressing lifestyle lived by "people" who had no choice in the matter. The film is permeated with sadness and melancholy as well as horror. There was much criticism at Cruise's casting initially but he's excellent here, one of only two of his performances (MAGNOLIA is the other one) that impress me. Pitt is also excellent and Dunst gives an amazingly poignant performance considering her tender age. The superb Oscar nominated underscore is by Elliot Goldenthal. With Antonio Banderas, Stephen Rea and Thandie Newton.
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