Review of Shadow of the Vampire (2000) by John N — 25 May 2010

If you want to see true character acting in it's highest form, this film is a definite must see. It tells the story of a desperate filmmaker named F.W. Murnau who simply wants to make a film that will be remembered for ages to come.

His quest for the perfect lead actor leads him to an unusual and mysterious man with an eerie appearance named Max Schreck, who Murnau hires to play Count Orlock, the vampire in his horror film. Schreck appears to be an actor who takes his work quite seriously as he is always in character and in full makeup, and he will not appear until nightfall.

As events on the set begin to get a little strange, it becomes known that Schreck is either taking his work far too seriously or he may actually be what everyone first believed he was pretending to be.

Shadow of the Vampire is directed by E. Elias Merhige and stars some of the finest character actors to ever perform in front of a camera. Willem Dafoe is the one who deserves the most praise for his portrayal of Count Orlock.

His performance is creepy, ominous, and quirky. Dafoe is absolute perfection in an extremely challenging role. John Malkovich was born to play characters of darkness and desperation. He not only perfects his character, he adds so much more to Murnau than any other actor possibly could.

Both Dafoe and Malkovich are actors who should be cherished for their unique and unusual talent. Catherine McCormack portrays a woman who Count Orlock is obsessed with because she reminds him of the woman who turned him ages ago.

Other memorable performances come from the great Cary Elwes, who is nothing short of spectacular as usual, and Eddie Izzard. This film not only contains some of the finest character acting I have ever seen, but it is also frightening, amusing, suspenseful, intense, and brilliant.

Shadow of the Vampire is a work of art through and through. Like I said, if you want to see top notch character acting, this film is one of the best examples of it...