Review of Near Dark (1987) by Daniel R — 10 Mar 2011
Just when I thought Eighties vamp flicks couldn't get any better than The Lost Boys, a new challenger appears. Near Dark is the scary older brother of The Lost Boys, you know, the one who just got out of prison, has a butch dog, and would rather take your life than your lunch money.
Dark, stylistic, thrilling and thoroughly entertaining, I would argue that this film is easily one of Bigelow's best and most beautifully shot. The excellent performances, Paxton's in particular, haunt the audience long after the film has ended. While the film doesn't delve too deeply into what I can imagine would be a rich history of the majority of its characters, it gives us enough to whet our appetite, to understand them, and in some cases, pity them, for example, Homer's want for a partner to share his despair at being older inside than he is on the outside.
As a cross genre piece, Near Dark works surprisingly well, blending its vampiric charm with the dusty, desperate atmosphere of the western. The film is at the same time surreal, poetic and dreamlike, but also harsh, cruel and biting, if you'll forgive the pun.
Definitely a must-see.
This review of Near Dark (1987) was written by Daniel R on 10 Mar 2011.
Near Dark has generally received positive reviews.
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