Movie reviews: Shadow of the Vampire
John Malkovich stars as F.W. Murnau, director Nosferatu, an unofficial adaption of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Willem Dafoe also appears as Max Schreck, the title character. What the rest of the cast don't know is that Schreck is in fact a real vampire and has been promised the neck of the movie's leading lady in payment for starring in the movie. As you would expect, things start to go terribly wrong.
It was a bit of a weird movie, this one. Not in a bad way, I just wasn't sure what to make of it. Willem Dafoe was the best thing in the movie. His Schreck was the scariest vampire I have ever seen. He was rightly nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Unfortunately, he didn't win.
I found John Malkovich to be quite hammy. Then again, has there ever been a movie where he hasn't been hammy? I wasn't too pleased with Eddie Izzard as Gustav von Wangenheim, Nosferatu's leading man either. He is a great stand-up comedian, but I'm not all that fond of his acting roles. Remember the first Avengers movie? It's probably best that you don't.
Three pointy hats.
Next time: The Shining
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