Movie Review: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

This movie’s okay. Despite the title, it strays very far from Bram Stoker’s novel. It should really be called Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula, because that’s what it is. There is a strong directorial stamp throughout the movie.
Unfortunately, this movie is dragged down by some key performances. I have no problems with Gary Oldman as Dracula. He’s a great actor and he does a wonderful job.

But Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) has been rightly heavily criticized for his role as Jonathan Harker. While he’s laughably bad, Winona Ryder as Mina Harker is also quite bad, though not as embarrasingly so.
It’s a shame, too, because there is some fantastic casting here, too. Oldman and Anthony Hopkins are perfect in their roles.
This movie is definitely stronger in its visual sense than in its storytelling. It’s not the most compelling story and the attempts to make it historical are just a little weird. It’s atmospheric and gorgeous looking, though, so it’s worth a watch.
Rating: 6/10
