Review of Martin (1978) by Dan B — 27 Jul 2008
In "Martin" cult director George A Romero uses the vampire as a metaphor for adolscent sexual akwardness and social alienation. But unlike most Romero efforts the gore is seriously toned down here, in a straighter attempt at drama.
This is a realist take on the vampire genre, gone are the flowing capes, pointy teeth and cruicfixes in their place is a drab, small town world where teenagers struggle to find their place and begin to feel like outsiders in the world, like vampires.
"Martin" is a rather uneventful horror movie and is better described as a pyschological drama that chooses to use the vampire theme to heighten its main character's adolscent sexual confusion.
Despite an interesting concept and a solid lead performance "Martin" suffers from Romero's typically wooden dialogue and stiff supporting performances.
Romero simply works better when he mixes more gore and action with his social commentary, a straighter approach to drama being beyond his grasp.
This review of Martin (1978) was written by Dan B on 27 Jul 2008.
Martin has generally received positive reviews.
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