Vampire's Kiss

I still can't believe Nicolas Cage believes this to be one of his best films. This would normally be the type of movie an actor would cross off his resume. Cage doesn't do many DVD commentaries, yet he chose to do one for this obscure dark comedy. His commentary with the director was definitely amusing, and made the film more fun to watch, but I'm here to rate the movie and not the commentary. The movie is totally confusing, as it keep jumping back and forth from one reality to another. Finally, I understood that it was about Cage going insane and thinking he's a vampire. Confusing or not, "Vampire's Kiss" is painful to watch. It contains almost no plot, and it's no more than a one-man show for Nick Cage, who gives an outrageously hammy performance. And yes, I'm saying that as a huge Nick Cage fan. Sure, he has a reputation for being over-the-top, but usually it makes sense within his character and rarely does he get to the point where he's a live-action cartoon character. In this case, he's a total cartoon, mugging at any possible opportunity and donning an annoying accent (kind of like his dumb accent in "Peggy Sue Got Married"). Jennifer Beals is wasted in a small, degrading role. And Kasi Lemmons really should stick to directing. A must-miss!

I still can't believe Nicolas Cage believes this to be one of his best films. This would normally be the type of movie an actor would cross off his resume. Cage doesn't do many DVD commentaries, yet he chose to do one for this obscure dark comedy. His commentary with the director was definitely amusing, and made the film more fun to watch, but I'm here to rate the movie and not the commentary. The movie is totally confusing, as it keep jumping back and forth from one reality to another. Finally, I understood that it was about Cage going insane and thinking he's a vampire. Confusing or not, "Vampire's Kiss" is painful to watch. It contains almost no plot, and it's no more than a one-man show for Nick Cage, who gives an outrageously hammy performance. And yes, I'm saying that as a huge Nick Cage fan. Sure, he has a reputation for being over-the-top, but usually it makes sense within his character and rarely does he get to the point where he's a live-action cartoon character. In this case, he's a total cartoon, mugging at any possible opportunity and donning an annoying accent (kind of like his dumb accent in "Peggy Sue Got Married"). Jennifer Beals is wasted in a small, degrading role. And Kasi Lemmons really should stick to directing. A must-miss!

source: Vampire's Kiss

Trailer—Vampire's Kiss

Vampire's Kiss

A few of my friends use this film to test compatibility of potential mates. I knew I had to ditch my girlfriend when she didn't laugh. Not once, not ONE TIME! I am stunned that people are voting this film down. I'm extremely picky and rarely go to movies because I find most to be 'cheapy' but this is an INSPIRED piece of work by everyone from Nicolas Cage (his BEST performance - even better than "Leaving Las Vegas") to the director, ALL the actors and to the especially insane writer Joseph Minion of "After Hours" fame and one or two unproduced scripts I found funny if not disturbingly so. THIS IS A MUST SEE!! "Peter, right?" Yes! Peter! Right! "How are you?" How AM I?* "You know...A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z! That's all you have to DO!"

Nicholas Cage is a terrific actor, and I have enjoyed his work in all the movies I've seen him in. That said, he does an outstanding job holding one's attention throughout this movie. Nonetheless, this isn't a great movie. It goes in a few too many directions for it to remain coherent. It offends too many senses for it to be a good a comedy, and provides too few scares as a horror film. One highlight, as others have mentioned, is with the fake vampire teeth. But the best part to that bit was the fact that he had to settle for the CHEAP teeth, because he didn't have $20 for the good ones! That really made me laugh! My rating: 6

This is one of those movies you have to watch to the end to truly appreciate. It's a mess -- but it goes places you can't imagine despite the workmanlike screenwriting and the slow pace of the beginning. It's worth it. Charlie Kaufman could have written it, it's so bizarre and beyond the norm for the silly Hollywood movie it's disguised as. I don't want to analyze it as some metaphor for a relationship with a blood-sucking bitch as others have or argue what's real and what's not. I watched it expecting some anemic late 80's comedy and with that expectation, I found myself bolting upright in my chair in surprise at what it delivered. One of Nic Cage's best early performances, ranks with Raising Arizona and Valley Girl, except he's never sympathetic -- ever. In that sense, I understand what people mean when they say it's a monster movie.

Without a doubt, this is the quintessential Nick Cage acting performance. He went over the top in this black comedy about relationships. Maria Conchita Alonso (Moscow on the Hudson) gave a great performance as the lowly secretary that was the repository for Cage's anger at women. What began as harassment ended in a greater crime. Kasi Lemmons gave a skintastic performance as a bar pickup who gave Cage a hot mouthful before being chased away by a bat. Jennifer Beals was the real?/imaginary? vampire that started Cage on the road to destruction. There just isn't any word to describe her hotness in this film. But, it was all about Cage as he completely broke down from his uptight persona to become someone who was totally demented. I am going to have to see My Left Foot as I can't believe Oscar -winner Daniel Day-Lewis outperformed Cage in this film.

Vampire's Kiss is a comedy. In no way is it supposed to be akin to legitimate vampire movies. It parodies horror films and satirizes life in the big city, much like other popular films, such as American Psycho, do. In my opinion, Vampire's Kiss is much better than American Psycho because instead of trying to be creepy and ultimately failing, Vampire's Kiss is hilarious. I gave it a ten. I'm certain that I'll be seeing it over and over again. ME, 2006: Looking back at this comment about the film and writing anew from a later date, I can certainly recognize why this movie isn't for everyone. If you are a fan of absurd, inane, dark, wry humor, and you enjoy watching movies for subtlety and detail THIS IS IT. Watch out for the mimes, and enjoy.