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Originally Posted by Rob4  I agree with a lot of this. I saw it a few weeks ago now and was thoroughly entertained. I've like all of Eggers' movies so far.
However, I'm for the moment, placing this one at the bottom of the pile. The reasons being is that there were a few irritations, although others may see them as strengths:
Unlike Nos, I was disappointed that the film slavishly followed the originals plot and construction. I always get the feeling when this happens is that you are making a love letter to the original rather than remaking it. I thought the part where it did deviate from the original with the Hardings sub-plot was an interesting nuance not even hinted at in the original. It played out to a grisly climax which was a great pay-off.
Whilst Lily-Rose Depp was perfectly fine in the part of Ellen I think the film lost out by not having the originally cast Anja Taylor-Joy in the part. ATJ would have given a similar performance I think but would have elevated it to a different level.
The biggest problem with the film though, for me, was Willem Dafoe's portrayal of Von Franz (the Van Helsing stand-in). I can't believe Eggers said to him 'go and study Anthony Hopkins' Van Helsing and give me more of that' but it appears that is exactly what happened...
Still, the film is hugely entertaining, with first class production, sound design, make up and effects. And wasn't Nicholas Hoult great?
I'd definitely recommend it despite my caveats above. |
I'm not sure whether a different actor playing Ellen would've made a lot of difference, whether Anya Taylor-Joy or anyone else. I was very impressed with Lily Rose Depp and feel the part needed someone who was strong and vulnerable, and Depp was more than capable of meeting that challenge.
Although Ellen is the emotional centre of the film, I think the film was more dependent on the male actors, particularly those playing Count Orlok, Thomas Hutter, Prof. Albin Eberhart von Franz, Knock, and Wilhelm Sievers. In these roles, Bill Skarsgard (with an exceptionally deep voice), Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, Simon McBurney, and Ralph Inerson all very good.
Simon McBurney probably had a wonderful time as the Renfield-inspired Knock, from going about his business with a little twitch to biting (seemingly live) animals, and babbling incoherently whilst cavorting naked on top of a Transylvania/Satanic symbol. Equally, although I didn't think he was channelling/ apeing Anthony Hopkins, I loved William Defoe's outcast scientist, who uses is knowledge of the occult to decipher the ancient writings and find the source of Nosferatu and lead the hunt to find Count Orlok.