Author Anne Rice has been accused of feminizing the vampire creature for a very long time. While Bram Stoker was one of the first authors to take a fear creature of its period and turn it in to an individual with feeling and romantic urges, Anne Rice gets the brunt of the blame for taking a horrifying creature and transforming it in to a romance novel element. I can safely say I’ve never read a single Rice novel, but I am always surprised when I find that “Interview with the Vampire” is an entertaining film. It’s probably the most erotic mainstream film of all time. It’s a glorified Jean Rollin vampire film that places sexual emphasis on blood sucking and vampirism that Jess Franco or Jean Rollin would have offered fans in the early seventies.
Every bit of vampirism is depicted as some form of sexual aggression and demonstration of taboo sexual practices. Freud would have a field day with this film, as Rice paints vampirism as the element of life we all desire but are too frightened to actually experience. In the cinematic adaptation of “Interview with the Vampire,” vampires represent repressed sexuality and present shades of gray. That’s why they’re so seductive to so many people. I don’t know a single man who wouldn’t throw himself in to the three brides of Dracula for an all out orgy regardless of how slow a death they’d experience. And the characters of Louis, Lestat, and Claudia are able to satisfy every and any sexual urge they may have.
In one scene, Lestat ravages two prostitutes and punctures the breasts of another as she writhes in amorous moans, Louis and Lestat drain a prostitute dry in the middle of a party, Lestat ravages a young man, Louis sucks the blood of a busty black slave who reluctantly attends to their needs, and Lestat’s own forceful conversion in to vampirism on to Louis is very much like a husband displaying dominance on a new sexual partner. For the duration of “Interview,” Louis and Lestat have a homosexual marriage where they bicker and banter, while Louis gradually forms a love for Lestat who is surely the dominant partner in the relationship. Director Neil Jordan is never above displaying why vampirism is so tempting. That’s why the story begins in the first place.
Christian Slater is Daniel Malloy, a young author who interviews Louis about his long and dark life as a vampire, and by the end of the film it’s so enticing he wants to lurk in to that part of the world. Homosexuality, lesbianism, pedophilia, incest, etc. It’s an orgy of sexual carnage wreaked upon by these demons. Rice is putting on display our innermost sexual desires, and whether it’s sex with a man, or devouring a busty hooker, this movie is quite raw. When child Claudia is introduced Louis transforms her against her own will, and preys on her vulnerability. But when she gains a lust for human blood, not only does Louis become her mentor, he becomes her lover. Director Jordan never really displays gratuitous sex or nudity, but much of their romance is implied with their dialogue and interplay.
As well, we also see many scenes in which Claudia sneaks in to Louis coffin to sleep beside him. Director Neil Jordan directs a compelling and fascinating erotic vampire film that garners a slew of great performances from stars like Tom Cruise as Lestat, and Brad Pitt. Kirsten Dunst is also fantastic as the child vampire who never ages, and desires humanity when vampirism becomes monotonous. “Interview with the Vampire” is a great movie. I love it. Because in spite Anne Rice’s hackery, the movie is so well told, so well acted, and puts on display the unabashed sexuality of the vampire race that was often explored subsequent her popularity, but never quite mastered.