All mood, little substance seeps from this subdued, slowly paced melancholy modern-day vampire tale of sensual passion and obsessive love. Director / co-writer Shimako Sato does show promise with this Gothic low budget horror effort. This is on the technical side though, as the material is quite flawed and limited. Still there was a good (if unique) enough story within the framework wanting to emerge, and the ending throws up an unexpected chain of events. There's mystery, and it's driven by its characters and the tragic air is drilled in tight. But on the other hand the script is a little stuffy and empty, and there's a lack of thrills even though it does quench itself in some bloody, viscous scenes. It's quite messy on the blood drinking too. Even with these jolts, it focuses more on the moving story at hand. Some of the traditional vampire customs see little daylight too. The exemplary Julian Sands' beautifully placid, forlorn, heart-aching presence doesn't look out-of-place, and leading lady Suzanna Hamilton complements Sands with a edgy, but determined performance. However it's Kenneth Cranham's dark, enigmatic support turn that surprisingly engages. Sato purposely stages a bleak atmospheric stench with steady timing, and her articulate visual sense is dangerously succulent and enticingly poetic. It's ambitious, and haunting to watch. Elegantly masterful photography gives it a real personal guidance, brooding lighting shapes up nicely and the sweeping orchestral score is ineffectually jarring and emotionally layered.
Review of Tale of a Vampire
