Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
Director: E Elias Merhige
Starring: John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, Cary Elwes
Synopsis:
Auteur filmmaker FW Murnau is prepared to do just about anything to complete his unauthorized adaptation of Dracula, even if it means resorting to an eccentric method actor for the lead role.
Impressions:
Have you ever heard the joke that plays on the conspiracy theory that NASA hired Stanley Kubrick to fake the moon landing, only because he was such a perfectionist, they actually had to go to the moon to film it? Yes, well, that idea applies here to this fictional take on the making of 1922's Nosferatu. I heard about the premise in reviews when it came out and it piqued my curiosity, but I never got around to seeing it for myself until now. Let's just say that the film delightfully delivers on its premise with excellent performances by John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe. By the end, you'll be left wondering who the bigger monster is and it's great. For being such a clever, well-written and well-acted film, it definitely deserves a place in your collection.
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