Amazon.com Essentials:
When it was announced that Tom Cruise would play the vampire
Lestat in this adaptation of Anne Rice's bestselling novel, even Rice chimed
in with a highly publicized objection. The author wisely and
justifiably recanted her negative opinion when she saw Cruise's
excellent performance, which perceptively addresses the pain and
chronic melancholy that plagues anyone cursed with immortal
bloodlust. Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst are equally good at maintaining
the dark and brooding tone of Rice's novel. And in this rare
mainstream project for a major studio, director Neil Jordan
compensates for a lumbering plot by honoring the literate, Romantic
qualities of Rice's screenplay. Considered a disappointment while
being embraced by Rice's loyal followers, the movie is too slow to be
a satisfying thriller, but it is definitely one of the most lavish,
intelligent horror films ever made. --Jeff Shannon
