Reviews

Since both movies explore similar idea, I've decided to perform comparative analysis. So, I watched them one after the other and before I list the final results, I want to mention several notes:

1. I am fully aware that there is considerable time-interval between these movies, so I am not going to argue upon the technical aspects of the movies. Whatsmore, I consider "Dracula" to be visual and auditory masterpiece full with innovative solutions (such as the Dracula's shadow) and interesting effects (such as the hissing voices in the background) that are successful in stunning the audience even in 2009 (such as I e.g. the first_time_watcher). 2. I am also aware that although they are fantasies, they ought to be classified in two different genres with "Dracula" belonging to drama-horror department and "Twilight" to romance/thriller. That's why I'm going to dwell upon the similarities. 3. Finally, I am not going to reflect upon the authenticity with the original story since I consider it to be basically a myth that has been changed over the course of history and individual preferences of storytellers.

And even though most would say that I dare comparing two incomparable pieces, the results are the following:

1. "Twilight" has almost scientific explanations of Vampire's nature. The characteristics of these creatures as ones of the fittest predators (pheromone-stimulated, adrenaline-derived) and their successful coexistence with humans as a result of their adaptation to the surroundings gives Darwinian flavor to the movie. This is somewhat manipulative approach since it is convincing in creating strong illusion about something really important going on. The viewer can be easily attached to this movie because of this. In this aspect "Twilight" takes one classical (and maybe over-used) scenario and brings freshness, which is very difficult with stories famous as these. On the other hand, there is no such element in "Dracula". 2. The main character in "Dracula" is also unconvincing for formal reasons (inconsistent actions, such as enslaving your beloved with your bite in spite of setting her free), but mostly for emotional reasons. Namely, I never felt for Dracula. Neither sympathy for his ill fortune and lost love, nor understanding of the motives behind his actions when he finally found his love again. There was no internal struggle in the character in the moral sense which left me passive as viewer, perceiving him as totally alienated, non-human and therefore non-understandable creature. (BTW, I know that maybe this was intentional, but I didn't liked it) 3. In "Dracula" the characters that submit to their wild youthful nature filled with attraction and passion (such as Lucy and Dracula) are somewhat condemned as turning their back on God (e.g. faith), which in some perspective gives sense of false moral. On the other hand, "Twilight" sometimes seems to glorify those strong youthful feelings of passion and attraction as prerequisites for pure love and as essentials for winning over every moral dilemma. In that way "Twilight" deals with these issues in more human and forgiving manner, not forgetting to mention along the lines that to control one's passion is probably the hardest thing in the world and to confirm "Dracula's" message that it's nevertheless important to regulate it.

1. Inverse aspects of the CHARACTERS:

There are people doing amoral things in the name of the moral cause: prostitution, prosecutions and assassinations in the name of patriotism.

There is a woman who is constantly betraying her morals to stay true to her patriotic ideal and sacrifices self for the country.

There is a man on the opposite end of the moral continuum, who betrayed the country for self-interest, but who nevertheless chooses to believe in another fellow human...an chooses love.

2. Inverse aspects of the TITLE:

The title declares that the movie ia about lust. The sexual scenes should make sure that no one doubts this. Except maybe…some of us who felt that those scenes were not about lust at all. They were so heavily burdened by characters' suspicions and expectations, their thoughts and doubts, so that it was impossible to watch them as pure instinctive acts. Instead they were somewhat manipulative and acted out like a craft or even an art, maybe even the art of war.

3. Inverse moments in the STORY:

IMHO, it is usually presumed that once the sexual tension is exhausted, the relationship potential is diminished, if the bond was so superficial. Hence, in scripts, be it life or a movie, where characters don't share history, mutual trust and respect, they should grow apart. They should become more rational, not emotional in time. The opposite happens in the movie. This too speaks volumes about the nature of their intercourse, substantial rather than just sexual. As it should be: intimate physical interaction leading to psychological connection, mutual discovering in the subtlest of details followed with resolving of the deepest problems.

Biljana Gjoneska www.evermind.me