Review of Vampire's Kiss (1989) by Gustav W — 16 Jul 2011

Welcome into the chaotic mind of obsession. Nicolas Cage treats us to what he does best, conveying a deeply disturbed mental state, crossing all the borders. His character, searching for forgotten feelings, not really knowing who or what he is any longer, or what he's looking for. Grasping at straws, unable to find help by his psychiatrist, he turns further away, trying to claim whatever identity he can.

A clear inspiration of the Bret Easton Ellis book American Psycho (later turned into film), or maybe just a clear reflection of the contemporary yuppie culture. Either way, both are just as genial representations of people lost in society, be it through the raw words of Easton Ellis or the brilliantly manic portrayal by Cage.

The film is a bit disjointed and confused at times, but tell me an existentialist film that isn't, and it surely adds to the experience in the end. You sometimes wonder how the script possibly could be approved into production, but we're lucky someone put their trust in Cage.

Bottom line: This is an all-in Cage, all-out mental experience and social criticism that should not be missed.