Near Dark

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Horrorphile - November 2007

Near Dark

November 20th 2007 23:49

A distinctly 80s movie, but a highly original one at that, director Kathryn Bigelow’s hybrid western-horror with heavy shades of noir, Near Dark (1987), is one of the best vampire movies of the past 25 years.

Caleb (Adrian Pasdar), a young mid-western farmboy, who lives at home with his father and kid sister, meets a striking, but shy young woman, Mae (Jenny Wright), one night. He is immediately taken by her ethereal beauty, and offers her a lift back to the trailer home where she is staying with “friends”. But Caleb wants a kiss in return, and reticent as Mae is, she eventually necks with Caleb - necking being the operative word. Mae bites Caleb, drawing blood, then runs off into the night.

Near Dark Jenny Wright and Adrian Pasdar

Jenny wright as Mae and Adrian Pasdar as Caleb

His pickup won’t start and Caleb stumbles home in the early morning light, smoke bellowing from under his cowboy clothes. His sister spots him in the field, but before he can get to the homestead, Mae’s so-called friends intercept him in their blacked-out motor-home and he’s whisked away.

Near Dark Tim Thomerson and Marcie Leeds

Caleb's father Loy (Tim Thomerson) after his son has been abducted, with his daughter Sarah (Marcie Leeds)

Turns out Mae’s “family” are a bunch of nomadic vampires, drifting across the country, feeding by night on whoever is unlikely enough to cross their paths. Poor Caleb is forced to join the clan. At first he resists, despite his attraction to Mae, but after a couple of blood drinking sessions at Mae’s slender wrist Caleb feels the inherent and addictive power of vampirism.

Worse than any hangover, Caleb feels the vampire hunger

Co-written with Eric Red (who wrote The Hitcher) Near Dark is a fabulously moody and atmospheric movie full of metaphor and symbolism, yet doesn’t come across as pretentious or indulgent for arty-farty sake. It’s an action film, and Bigelow would go on to prove her action mettle even more with the guilty pleasure Point Break. She uses several talented cast members from Aliens (1986); Lance Henrikson as Jesse, Bill Paxton as Severen, and Jenette Goldstein as Diamondback, and the broody cinematography of Adam Goldberg, who shot The Terminator (1984). Near Dark had all the right ingredients to become a smash hit, but it was released around the same time as The Lost Boys (1987), which devoured the box office, and ironically Near Dark was kept back in the shadows.

Lance Henriksen as Jesse Hooker

Caleb struggles to make it back home

Although The Lost Boys still commands a strong following among Brat Pack nuts, it is a much softer movie pitched at a much younger audience. Near Dark is more of an adult film, and it was since garnered a respectable cult following. The dialogue whips and crackles like a roaring fire in the night (“What do you people want?!”, “Just a few more minutes of your time. About the same duration as the rest of your life.”), and although it is actually a dark romance, it plays with the genres of western and noir very cleverly, yet is known most specifically as a horror movie. Near Dark has aged surprisingly well. Even the special effects are achieved carefully, never being too ostentatious, but still packing punch when they need to.

Bill Paxton as Severen

The pulsating score from Euro progressive electronic outfit Tangerine Dream fits superbly with the mood of the film. It’s definitely an 80s sound, but there’s a dreamy ageless feel to it too.

Jenette Goldstein as Diamondback

Interestingly the screenplay and the look of the vampires has done away with any of the traditional gothic elements normally associated with them. In fact, the word “vampire” is never even mentioned. Nor are there any fangs on show. But there is plenty of aggressive bloodletting and several references to immortality and old souls, with Jesse admitting to having fought for the South (“We lost.”)

The gorgeous, elusive Jenny Wright

Lance always chews scenery, but he does it so well, in that Rutger Hauer kind of way. But Jenny Wright (who was a scene-stealing groupie in Pink Floyd – The Wall) as Mae, plays one of the movie’s most memorable characters. She exudes a sensuality and enigmatic quality rare for an actor of her generation. Strangely, at times she reminded me of a female Sean Penn. It’s a real shame she never got to enjoy the success she deserved, apparently she’s given up the craft (she’s a notable absence on the DVD retrospective making of featurette).

Vamps on the rise

Near Dark is one of the most entertaining vampire films ever made; the feeding scene in the truck stop bar is legendary. The movie snarls and cackles, guzzles and whines, like a good ol’ fashioned campfire bourbon session. Then it grabs ya by yer throat and rips out yer jugular! “Fingerrr-lickin’ gooood!”

Here's the original U.S. trailer:

And here's that first sensual kiss (curiously the lo-res actually adds to the mood):

... As a depressing afterword, a remake of Near Dark is currently in pre-production, to be released next year.

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

8 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Anonymous

November 21st 2007 01:37

You know, I wasn't too impressed with this when it first came out, but I recently saw it again just to get the full effect of "Naughty, Naughty." Which I absolutely adore and now find that the movie was incredible and it took the seemingly impossible task of making Bill Paxton attractive and pushing it past 10. =) Excellent review.

Further, I'd like to say so much for checking out my site and leaving such glowing comments. That truly does mean the world to me. I miss hearing from you and hope that all is going well. Things here have been rough since my brother passed away, but everything is alright, all things considered. We'll catch up on horror movie stuff soon and deride all the damn remake abominations.

Yours,

-lilith

Comment by Mr Nice Guy

November 21st 2007 02:28

Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory

Hey

Just phoned my local Video Ezy retailer to put this aside - but alas - they maintain they don't have the film in their available catalogue.

Any clues?

MNG

Comment by Damo

November 21st 2007 03:41

I haven't seen this in the video shops lately.

I know the sound tack well it was one of Tangerine Dreams better film scores.

So maybe one day when the video shop gets another batch of nostelga it will come in and I can see it.

Comment by Bryn

November 21st 2007 04:50

Horrorphile

lilith, glad your opinion changed ... the "naughty, naughty" reference actually escapes me ... can you please remind me?

nice guy, try dr. what in bondi junction ...

damo, i'd love to own the soundtrack, but it didn't mention it was available to purchase in the end credits.

Comment by Damo

November 21st 2007 06:36

Bryn

That is one soundtrack that I missed purchasing. I got Thief which was a great sound track by it self but I have heard the Near Dark sound track and like the way it was mixed. I would have to check a few friends to see if they have it.

Comment by Bryn

November 22nd 2007 02:22

Horrorphile

Damo, if you do locate it, I'd love a copy!!!

Comment by Anonymous

November 23rd 2007 02:12

"Naughty, Naughty" was the song when they came into the bar / saloon. I believe it's by John Parr. If you can find the video on YouTube, it has a very young Lisa Rinna in it. Hope that helps.

-lilith

Comment by Bryn

November 23rd 2007 05:04

Horrorphile

lilith, aha! Lisa "lips" Rinna, huh? Probably pre-lips though ... I doubt they were natural ... I'll check it out. Bill owns that bar scene.

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