Tony Scott’s vampire movie was critically lambasted on its release; style over content was the common phrase used. In retrospect, The Hunger has lashings of style, but it’s all in tune with the content, which is way more interesting than a run-of-the-mill studio picture. Miriam Blaylock (Catherine Deneuve) is a six thousand year old vampire, while John (David Bowie) has been her lover for three hundred years. John is beginning to show his age, and goes for a consultation with Dr Sarah Roberts (Susan Sarandon); the scene in which he ages rapidly in her waiting room has genuine poetic power. Sarah gets involved, but makes her a target for Miriam’s affections. With a small role for Willem Dafoe, The Hunger skillfully uses vampirism as a metaphor for not only for addiction but also sexual politics; a meditative look at how lovers prey and are preyed on by their own fear of aging.
Comments
Loading…