Lestat:
I have heard, read, and talked about the debate over the film adaptation of INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (1994) on both sides of the fence. Some like it. Others don't. And as most would admit, when a film translates from the pages in a novel to the pages onto a script, the transition from novel, script, to screen can cost more than a plane ticket, and have just as much turbulence. In short, not all trips are enjoyable. Or worth the price of the ticket.
However, when someone has not read the novel before (or at all) watching the film adaptation, there are occasions when it's better left that way. Or occasions when it opens up a whole other world to the story behind the story on screen. The story, only your imagination can carry you, as the individual. The intimate personal reflection from page to tale. Your personal journey.
However, when someone has not read the novel before (or at all) watching the film adaptation, there are occasions when it's better left that way. Or occasions when it opens up a whole other world to the story behind the story on screen. The story, only your imagination can carry you, as the individual. The intimate personal reflection from page to tale. Your personal journey.
I can name one film -- scratch that -- two films as a perfect example of such a case, personally, WUTHERING HEIGHTS (you mean there's a Chapter 17 to 34? ... 1939, I'm looking at you ... Laying in the bed like the story was OVER!), and RANDOM HARVEST (it's told through the eyes of Harrison?! But he only gets screen time for five minutes in the film?! Oh, Ronnie.). Both WUTHERING HEIGHTS and RANDOM HARVEST came upon my notice early on in life, as I "grew up with TCM." Robert Osborne would always speak so highly of RANDOM HARVEST whenever it aired, before the film would start in his introductions, it only enhanced my need to read Random Harvest by James Hilton for myself ... Fell. In. Love. Random Harvest told "in story," as in the novel, is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. Not to take away from the film, which I still adore, but the novel ... Oh my, the novel. Beauty in writing.
For my Mom and I, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE attracted us without first reading the novel. Well -- me, reading the novel. We watched it as a "stand alone" initially before I opened up that whole other world I mentioned before, in depth of the novel, written by Anne Rice.
Having said ALL THAT, the purpose of this Coffee Chat, as with all of my CINEMA COFFEE pieces, is not to debate the issue of if the film adaptation got it right or not, but to enjoy each others view and company in why we liked it, if that was the case, or, maybe, why we didn't, and share -- showcase the experiences/memories we may hold with them, hand in hand with others, through others, or because of others.
Having said ALL THAT, the purpose of this Coffee Chat, as with all of my CINEMA COFFEE pieces, is not to debate the issue of if the film adaptation got it right or not, but to enjoy each others view and company in why we liked it, if that was the case, or, maybe, why we didn't, and share -- showcase the experiences/memories we may hold with them, hand in hand with others, through others, or because of others.
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, the film adaptation, as with last weeks CINEMA COFFEE Chat, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (in case you missed it: read here), too became a traditional film watch every year around this time, if not on the night of Halloween itself for my Mom and I (always, ALWAYS, kicked off or as a finale with, NIGHT MUST FALL (1937) ... ""Danny, Danny, Danny!" She cried!" (more on that film watch at the end of the month)). In the initial stages, "Interview" was a film we enjoyed anytime it came on. Then, before we knew it, we had to own it on DVD. We became that transfixed with the film.
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And as any regular reader of my posts on social media or at the CINEMA COFFEE House will know, when it came to films my Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed, it was more or less because of, or inspired us, to use quotes from the film on a daily basis. "Interview" was no different.
Claudia: Which of you did it? Which of you made me the way I am?
None too caught up were my Mom and I with film critics POV of a film, choosing to take the chance for ourselves. We found most times the films found unfavorable on the chopping block by film critics, we found to be the best to recommend to other film lovers ... Although ... a film critics did seem to like, as did we, BURN AFTER READING did get us into trouble with some of our movie watching friends -- "What in the *movie* kind of picture is this?!" -- Oops, sorry, we laughed all through the theater out loud.
With "Interview," I believe what attracted us to this film more so than the ability to use some quotes from the film, was what may have attracted many film watchers to it in the first place. The casting of Tom Cruise (Lestat) and Brad Pitt (Louis) together in one film. Though, perhaps for us, not in the "every girls dream" sort of a way. Sure, we knew they were attractive, but "ain't nobody got time for that!" these cats are acting! Incredibly so ... And then ... Antonio Banderas (Armand) shows up, and ... Wait -- What? Cruise, Pitt, and Banderas ... "Okay, we got a lil time." Between those three men bringing top class acting to the table, suddenly, we have a party.
With "Interview," I believe what attracted us to this film more so than the ability to use some quotes from the film, was what may have attracted many film watchers to it in the first place. The casting of Tom Cruise (Lestat) and Brad Pitt (Louis) together in one film. Though, perhaps for us, not in the "every girls dream" sort of a way. Sure, we knew they were attractive, but "ain't nobody got time for that!" these cats are acting! Incredibly so ... And then ... Antonio Banderas (Armand) shows up, and ... Wait -- What? Cruise, Pitt, and Banderas ... "Okay, we got a lil time." Between those three men bringing top class acting to the table, suddenly, we have a party.
Point of mention here, the scenes between Cruise and Pitt are never more realized or enhanced "in awe" as it is when Cruise has just officially concluded sealing the awakening to Pitt in his birth as a Vampire, and lends a hand down to help him up from the ground and the two stand, one in front of the other. Stop. Take a moment. This will never happen again. Nor should it. Those two, in that film, at that point in their careers, at that age in their life, can not be repeated, and should never be "recaptured," as I believe so many "reunion films" can mistakenly do. When it's right the first time, we witness ... Perfection in Cinema. Only few actors can achieve that sort of a moment. Let the candle burn. Don't blow it out, and never relight it. Let it burn.
Not everyone was in favor of the casting however, as the writer of the Vampire Saga -- or perhaps better, Chronicles, 'The Vampire Chronicles' (as the collective series is known, with twelve novels to its credit to date, including the most recent, Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis released in 2016) Anne Rice was against the casting of Tom Cruise as her Lestat, as she mentions in 'Anne Rice Reader' by Katherine Ramsland:
"I was particularly stunned by the casting of Cruise, who is no more my Vampire Lestat than Edward G. Robinson is Rhett Butler."
... Hey, she should know, it is her story.
As an aspiring screenwriter/filmmaker myself, I know while writing, I always see the characters put on paper in my mind from the length of their nails, to their weight on the scale. Perfectly detailed. And yet there may come a time when you reach such a place in time at such a moment ... magic happens. As did it with Cruise and Pitt opposite one another at just the right time. As Rice would later say, "He became Lestst; he did his own Lestat without stealing my character from me." That has to be the highest compliment an actor can receive of his work from the penmen, as it must be the highest compliment the penman can receive from the actor's performance.
"I was particularly stunned by the casting of Cruise, who is no more my Vampire Lestat than Edward G. Robinson is Rhett Butler."
... Hey, she should know, it is her story.
As an aspiring screenwriter/filmmaker myself, I know while writing, I always see the characters put on paper in my mind from the length of their nails, to their weight on the scale. Perfectly detailed. And yet there may come a time when you reach such a place in time at such a moment ... magic happens. As did it with Cruise and Pitt opposite one another at just the right time. As Rice would later say, "He became Lestst; he did his own Lestat without stealing my character from me." That has to be the highest compliment an actor can receive of his work from the penmen, as it must be the highest compliment the penman can receive from the actor's performance.
And let's not forget, the reason behind the story. The character in which actress Kirsten Dunst acts beautifully, Claudia. As it was the death of Anne Rice's daughter (only five years old), that inspired Rice to take a short story she had previously written, and turn it into "Interview With The Vampire" in 1973, turned novel to be published in 1977.
Nor that veteran actor, Christian Slater, too appears in the film as the character doing the interviewing, Daniel Molloy. A role the late River Phoenix was to act in character of, before his death, four weeks before production. Slater, would donate his salary on the film to the charities of River Phoenix.
I can not say that my Mom and I were fans of the following film QUEEN OF THE DAMNED (2002) in the series after INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, as it just didn't hold up, or match the Classic Historical Romance-esque experience. In "Interview's" case not (IMO) as in a Historical Romance necessarily between the characters, as much as with the story told cinematically in its spectacular scenery surroundings alone, which becomes a character of its own. The films other Co-Star. Breathtaking. Transporting you back in time to the grandeur visual style of that of an M-G-M Musical or Dramatic production or scenes right out of MARIE ANTOINETTE, 1939 or THE GREAT ZIEGFELD, 1936. As Marlon Brando said vocally on record, "You want to stop that movement, from the popcorn to the mouth. Get people to stop chewing."
Nor that veteran actor, Christian Slater, too appears in the film as the character doing the interviewing, Daniel Molloy. A role the late River Phoenix was to act in character of, before his death, four weeks before production. Slater, would donate his salary on the film to the charities of River Phoenix.
I can not say that my Mom and I were fans of the following film QUEEN OF THE DAMNED (2002) in the series after INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, as it just didn't hold up, or match the Classic Historical Romance-esque experience. In "Interview's" case not (IMO) as in a Historical Romance necessarily between the characters, as much as with the story told cinematically in its spectacular scenery surroundings alone, which becomes a character of its own. The films other Co-Star. Breathtaking. Transporting you back in time to the grandeur visual style of that of an M-G-M Musical or Dramatic production or scenes right out of MARIE ANTOINETTE, 1939 or THE GREAT ZIEGFELD, 1936. As Marlon Brando said vocally on record, "You want to stop that movement, from the popcorn to the mouth. Get people to stop chewing."
"Interview" is a great example of providing such a reaction. Although, our coffee will be in tow.
I raise my mug to the readers and watchers, with whatever brew is in your cup. Straight Coffee, a Latte, Macchiato, Espresso, Café, or doctored up however you take it. Spending the night with the Vampires, you're going to need it. I'll take mine bold and extra caffeinated to stay awake through the night with. Here's to you ... #ForMyMom
I raise my mug to the readers and watchers, with whatever brew is in your cup. Straight Coffee, a Latte, Macchiato, Espresso, Café, or doctored up however you take it. Spending the night with the Vampires, you're going to need it. I'll take mine bold and extra caffeinated to stay awake through the night with. Here's to you ... #ForMyMom
Cue the end credits music (pardon us as we insert the original version from The Rolling Stones) "Sympathy For The Devil" ...
For my other CINEMA COFFEE blog pieces:
#ForMyMom Cinema Coffee ... | COFFEE CINEMA: Talking Streetcar | CINEMA COFFEE: "Et tu, Brute?" | CINEMA COFFEE: "La Chocolaterie" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Milk? I loathe milk!" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Elderberry Wine ..." | CINEMA COFFEE: "The choice I never had ..." | CINEMA COFFEE: "The smell of Mimosa" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Mighty like a Rose" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Don't cry on the rolls" | CINEMA COFFEE: "You're the first Kansas I ever met" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Everybody calls me Gracie" | CINEMA COFFEE: "What the devil are Belinskis?!" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Hello friends and enemies." | CINEMA COFFEE: "Stop remindin' me of heaven." | CINEMA COFFEE: "Even Gatsby could happen" | CINEMA COFFEE: "I made a wish" | CINEMA COFFEE: Audie Murphy | CINEMA COFFEE: Put The Blame on Mame | CINEMA COFFEE: "Just Singleton." | CINEMA COFFEE: "Where I Come From, Nobody Knows" | Film Therapy: Coping through Cinema | CINEMA COFFEE: Socks fall down | CINEMA COFFEE: "The moon's reaching for me" | CINEMA COFFEE: The Horne: Luso World Cinema Blogathon | CINEMA COFFEE: Aunt Bettye Lightsy | CINEMA COFFEE: I never lose | CINEMA COFFEE: "I have a mother!" | CINEMA COFFEE: THE SIGN OF GEMINI | CINEMA COFFEE: Venus Rising | CINEMA COFFEE: Stan vs Geek | CINEMA COFFEE: "Positively the same dame"| CINEMA COFFEE: I would rather lose ma whip than lose ma Daisy! | CINEMA COFFEE: "D'ENTRE LES MORTS goes VERTIGO"
#ForMyMom Cinema Coffee ... | COFFEE CINEMA: Talking Streetcar | CINEMA COFFEE: "Et tu, Brute?" | CINEMA COFFEE: "La Chocolaterie" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Milk? I loathe milk!" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Elderberry Wine ..." | CINEMA COFFEE: "The choice I never had ..." | CINEMA COFFEE: "The smell of Mimosa" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Mighty like a Rose" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Don't cry on the rolls" | CINEMA COFFEE: "You're the first Kansas I ever met" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Everybody calls me Gracie" | CINEMA COFFEE: "What the devil are Belinskis?!" | CINEMA COFFEE: "Hello friends and enemies." | CINEMA COFFEE: "Stop remindin' me of heaven." | CINEMA COFFEE: "Even Gatsby could happen" | CINEMA COFFEE: "I made a wish" | CINEMA COFFEE: Audie Murphy | CINEMA COFFEE: Put The Blame on Mame | CINEMA COFFEE: "Just Singleton." | CINEMA COFFEE: "Where I Come From, Nobody Knows" | Film Therapy: Coping through Cinema | CINEMA COFFEE: Socks fall down | CINEMA COFFEE: "The moon's reaching for me" | CINEMA COFFEE: The Horne: Luso World Cinema Blogathon | CINEMA COFFEE: Aunt Bettye Lightsy | CINEMA COFFEE: I never lose | CINEMA COFFEE: "I have a mother!" | CINEMA COFFEE: THE SIGN OF GEMINI | CINEMA COFFEE: Venus Rising | CINEMA COFFEE: Stan vs Geek | CINEMA COFFEE: "Positively the same dame"| CINEMA COFFEE: I would rather lose ma whip than lose ma Daisy! | CINEMA COFFEE: "D'ENTRE LES MORTS goes VERTIGO"