Director: Francis Cord Coppola
Starring: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder and Anthony Hopkins
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Gary Oldman. Ever since his rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Oldman has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s bold political leaders, commanding police officers or magical prisoners, Oldman has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Oldman’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. Through his approach of method acting, Oldman has portrayed strong characters that are always compelling. A British icon, Oldman has proven to be an actor that audiences cherish. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Oldman hasn’t lost his passion for making bold entertainment. Although he‘s most known for playing Gordon in The Dark Knight trilogy, Oldman has proven he can make memorable films in every genre. Throughout his enduring career, Oldman has made many memorable films which are worth talking about.
I’m a big fan of Oldman and adore all the films he has created in his career. However, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is my favourite. Released in 1992, Francis Ford Coppola’s movie offered a strong portrait of vampires. Packed with bold breathtaking production design, strong story and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest movies made about vampires. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Gary Oldman, playing a vampire that experiences sexual tension. Ultimately, what makes “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about vampires, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A captivating masterpiece about vampires that are frightening, there are several strong reasons why “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is a film worth seeing.
Set in 19th Century England, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” follows a vampire that experiences a dilemma. Gary Oldman plays Count Dracula, a fiendish vampire with charisma. Dracula has a belief that it is impossible for him to fall in love. However, Dracula’s life drastically transforms when he falls in love in a doomed relationship facing disaster. Mina Harker (Winona Ryder) is a young woman that Dracula considers to be a reincarnation of lost love. As all the odds soon become stacked against his favour, Dracula is forced to question whether it’s possible for him to overcome disaster. Faced with a perplexing dilemma, Dracula is forced to wonder whether it’s possible for him to find love in the modern-day era.
Francis Ford Coppola has always been drawn to themes of obsession. An iconic filmmaker, Coppola has made engaging movies about gangsters facing disasters. His iconic movie “The Godfather” captured lives of gangsters facing obsession with professions which are in grave danger. With “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”, however, Coppola made his first ever vampire period piece. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture the lives of vampires facing adversity, but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Coppola captures a vampire embarking on a treacherous journey to find his identity. Evoking Werner Herzog’s “Nosferatu the Vampyre”, Coppola uses low-key lighting to capture hardships which vampires are facing. For instance, the low-key lighting elevates the romance scene. During this memorable scene, Dracula develops a romantic relationship with Mina on their first meetings. Through low-key lighting, Coppola captures tensions vampires are experiencing. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique. As Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” suggested, low-key lighting enhances comic-book films. Nevertheless, it works well. Through captivating visuals, Coppola captures the tension that vampires seeking bloodthirsty deaths are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” that merits appreciation is the set-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Evoking David Lynch’s “The Elephant Man”, Coppola uses costumes to capture tensions that vampires are facing. Throughout the film, Dracula’s costumes show his strong transformation into a vampire that faces tension. For instance, costumes elevate the vampire meal scene. During this engaging scene, Dracula eats a bloody meal for dinner causing tension. Through stunning costumes, Coppola creates a portrait of vampires which is compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Wojciech Kilar’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that vampires bear. Using stunning production, Coppola captures frightening vampires facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is a vampire movie which is compelling. The movie is well written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture tensions that vampires are enduring. Throughout the movie, Dracula’s monologues capture his powerful personality as a vampire facing adversity. For instance, the monologues enhance the love confession scene. During this memorable scene, Dracula confesses his love for Mina through an enlightening monologue. Through strong monologues, Coppola creates vampires thar audiences can easily relate to. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Joe Wright’s “Darkest Hour” demonstrated, dramatic monologues enhance biopics about leaders. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through a strong screenplay, Coppola captures vampires that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Gary Oldman delivers one of his finest career performances as Count Dracula. Oldman first achieved appreciation for portraying magical prisoners in fantasy films. With “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”, however, he took on his most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray a vampire facing adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Oldman has often excelled at playing emotional characters that face pressure, and “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” demonstrated his strength as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and sexual tension of a vampire facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors in the industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Gary Oldman, the supporting cast is stellar and worthy of appreciations. Winona Ryder is wonderful, capturing the charisma of a woman that falls in love with a dangerous vampire that causes a dilemma. Anthony Hopkins is superb, bringing authority to a wealthy businessman in a tricky situation of negotiating with vampires causing adversity. Lastly, Richard E. Grant is worthy of recognition. As a wealthy aristocrat, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing vampires with charisma. Unlike most movies about vampires, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the tale of Dracula to appreciate it. Therefore, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is one of those rare movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Gary Oldman would absolutely enjoy “Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting drama about vampires, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about Dracula, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated British actor with charisma that has made unforgettable movies throughout his illustrious career which always attract audiences towards the cinema.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 