Dark Shadows - A Tim Burton Movie
I would like to take a moment to celebrate Tim Burton's rather underappreciated film Dark Shadows, released May of 2012. Despite critics giving this film a less than ideal rating on Rotten Tomatoes (and let's be real, we wouldn't call them critics if they weren't rather critical), I have to say that I thought this movie was magical and everything I could've hoped for in a Tim Burton movie.
Here's what made it great for me (in no particular order):
- Tim Burton as the director (of course this is what first attracted me to this film)
- A top notch cast (when you've got Eva Green, Helena Bonham, Johnny Depp, and the amazing Jonny Lee Miller you know it's going to be a great act)
- Clever humor sprinkled throughout
The Cast
1. Johnny Depp - Barnabas Collins
Despite recent blunders and all the trouble he's gotten himself in recently, I can't help but go back to some of his earlier stuff when he wasn't completely drunk. He plays the role of Barnabas Collins, an 18th century man who pisses off a witch, a maidservant by the name of named Angelique, by falling in love with another woman. This sets in motion Angelique's plot that eventually turns Barnabas into a vampire. Long story short, he's buried for what they think is eternity until he is unearthed in 1967. I couldn't imagine anyone else pulling off this character, Depp does an impeccable job as a vampire (I also appreciate that his version of a vampire includes all the stereotypes, none of this sparkles or human-like qualities bit).
Barnabas Collins: Had this been silver, I would have burst into flame at the slightest touch.
Dr. Julia Hoffman: Is he for real?
This brings us to the next character:
2. Helena Bonham Carter - Dr. Julia Hoffman
Carter has played in a bunch of Tim Burton films and in just about every role I think she is spectacular. Somehow she's able to transform herself into each character she plays and she does it again for the role of Dr. Julia Hoffman, a psychologist hired to counsel David Collins the only child of Roger Collins and his late wife Laura. She lives with the Collins family at Collinwood and her snarky, drunken personality makes you wonder if she's really the one who needs counseling.
Dr. Julia Hoffman: Every year I get half as pretty and twice as drunk.
3. Jonny Lee Miller - Roger Collins
Have you watched the 1995 film Hackers? I did and and it never dawned on me while watching his role in the Sherlock Holmes tv show set in New York City called Elementary that Miller actually played the lead role in Hackers. Going back to look at photos of Hackers it's obvious, but his acting is one I never really gave much credit. But after seeing how he embraces each character, how his tone, expressions, and the way he carries himself change for each role he's in I realize this guy is a crazy good actor.
Now, back to his character in Dark Shadows, he plays the role of Roger Collins. Roger is the youngest sibling in the Collins family who fell for a woman named Laura. Laura isn't featured in the movie as she's already died at this point, but their son David is. His mother was institutionalized very early on before she died in a fire and Roger isn't very much of a father which is why Dr. Hoffman is around. Roger is a thief and is pretty much a deadbeat dad.
Barnabas Collins: I am about to do something so repellent, it sickens me to my very core!... I am going to give you a choice: you can either devote every waking moment to being an exemplary father to young David.
Roger Collins: Or...?
Barnabas Collins: Or you can leave, with sufficient funds to provide for the rest of your life.
4. Eva Green - Angelique Bouchard
Eva Green, known for her roles in Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children and Casino Royale, plays the scorned witch who fell for Barnabas Collins. It didn't quite work between the two of them, to say the least, and when he waltzes back to town things get a little unorthodox.
I don't want to give away too much about this duo so I will leave you with this lovely quote:
Angelique Bouchard: I'm going to make an offer to you, Barnabas. My last. You can join me by my side and we can run Collinsport together as partners, and lovers... or I'll put you back in the box.
Barnabas Collins: I have already prepared my counter-proposal. It reads thusly: You may strategically place your wonderful lips upon my posterior and kiss it repeatedly!
