FILM TITLE: NADJA DIRECTOR: MICHAEL ALMEREYDA COUNTRY: USA 1994 CINEMATOGRAPHY: JIM DENAULT MUSIC: SIMON FISHER TURNER CAST: Galaxy Craze ( Lucy ), Suzy Amis ( Cassandra ), Martin Donovan, Peter Fonda, Elina Lonensohm ( Nadja ), Karl Geary, Jared Harris SUPER FEATURES: Black and White stuff
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As vampire films go, this is nothing new, and it lacks the styling that have made the genre famous in the movies the past 20 years. But as a new style, this is a different film, more like watching the old Bela Lugosi classic than anything else.
The thing which makes it comparable to that early standard, is its tonality, and near black and white filming, which adds an eery intent to the who thing, in serious playing around with shadows, and movements, something that we take for granted nowadays in any kind of film, and even consider boring by most standards.
Nadja, like the original it seems to copy, is slow, and the accent is on the movement and the acting of each particular person, rather than the vampire story film, where we know that the vampire has to be done away with.
But unlike the religious doodaas that usually permeate those films, this one does not touch that area, and instead concentrates on the relationships that Nadja has, and can, or can not maintain, and her desire to control her urges, so she can have a longer relationship.
I suppose that the best thing in this film is the directing and the shooting style.... you would be surprised how a well designed pose, makes the actor/actress look better and stronger. But all in all, this is not a very strong film, though it has that quality that reminds me of the style that used to be around the Warhols and such.
The film is a bit on the nightmarish's/trippy/weird side, but this is its strength. It makes sure that nothing is like any other vampire film. It spends time with its main character and her feelings, towards someone, or in general. And if forces us to come to like this person, whose need is different than others.
In the midst of all this is a crazy looking and acting Van Helsing, the ultimate commentary on the heroic stance that has been the trademark for that character. In this case he is almost satirical and a lunatic. The film does not glorify him, and makes him look crazy and off the wall, as someone that has little respect for relationships, specially those that last into other ages, and generations. All of a sudden, this doctor is no different a vampire than those he wants to destroy... he is on a mission that recalls the same urges as the vampires he chases. While this is not exactly new, Peter Fonda's drugged out style stands out, as either out of place, or a very clever move by the directing and writing crews.
Not a great film, but one that might be interesting for those that enjoy vampire films... no morals here.. just a story.
4 GIBLOONS Copyright (c) Pedro Sena 1996. All Rights Reserved.
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