Byzantium 1 point

Seeing Sam Riley as someone other than Mr. Darcy was a little shock but at least Darvel has the same moral compass and respectability. As far as vampire films, I hadn't ever seen a movie quite like this one. Filmed by the same director who filmed Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire, Neil Jordan, this movie takes on some of the similar values. The vampires, Eleanor and Clara have been on the run from this diluted Brotherhood of vampires; chasing down Clara because it was against the code to turn her daughter into a vampire. Like Interview with a Vampire, both Eleanor and Clara are very humanized with detailed traumatic histories. Clara's story is absolutely tragic. Being taken as a kid and being put into prostitution by Ruthven and then not being able to save her daughter from him as well, is traumatic. I'm glad she showed him no mercy, he didn't deserve any. I thought it was cool that the vampires weren't your typical neck biters, but had a singular nail that elongated. It furthers the idea that they're more human.

 This movie feels very gothic. The overbearing patriarchy and misogyny are big themes in the book, especially in the Brotherhood. During the scenes we see of Clara's early life, she is beaten down by Ruthven and has everything stripped from her. She is reduced to just her body and the male characters during her time have no trouble reminding her of that, especially after she stole the vampirism from Ruthven. The older council members referred to her as a whore and immediately wanted to kill her, solely because women were not allowed in the brotherhood. They blamed her for being born into a low status and for being a prostitute as if any of it was her control. The true hypocrisy though is that Darvel had willingly chosen to give Ruthven the gift of the location in front of Clara, knowing all the horrible things he had done. Calling him worthy of the gift while Clara was apparently not. Like most gothic novels that shine a light on the patriarchy that forces women into situations and then subsequently blames them for the status they hold, Clara was done and fought for a new shot at life. 

  There is a lot of focus on Eleanor's moral compass and how she feels about the world. A lot of the movie is narrated by her written words and her thoughts. I think it's interesting that her character is juxtaposed to Clara's, more of a risk-taker and cold to everything in the world except her daughter. Clara does have a moral compass but it is shown by her ruthlessness against abusers while Eleanor only takes those who consent and are ready to pass. Technically speaking, both of them are monsters with no souls who take blood to survive. But both lead more honorable lives than the Brotherhood. I really enjoyed it at the end when Darvel decided to help Clara and Eleanor in the end. All in all, I really enjoyed watching this movie. 


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