I really enjoyed this film. It tried to address how vampires would live in modern England and interact with others of their kind. The style of the film was British and not at all Hollywood; it had a sort of TV feeling, the filming intimate and engaging with some really poignant arty scenes. I do feel, however, that the film was trying to be more arty than it achieved but it did have a lovely look to it in a gritty, grey and rainy English small town kind of way. The film had unanswered questions for the vampire genre ie how do they go out in daytime, do they drink every day, how exactly are they turned etc, but these don't seem to matter. It's almost as if the film isn't about a genre that is centuries old and it's just a new style of fantasy with newly created creatures with their own rules. The vampire thing is almost an addendum although it is clearly central to the plot.
Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan were both superb. Chillingly good, passionate, compelling and performed perfectly. Gemma exposing herself to a demanding role, and Saoirse in a difficult role as she had to remain so withdrawn and the eye of the storm. Jonny Lee Miller, whilst a heinous character, was superb and almost unrecognisable as his handsome self - proving yet again his chameleon-like qualities as an actor. The screenplay was minimalist and not overly wordy, leaving the story telling to atmosphere, acting and imagery but the dialogue that there was, was powerful if a little staccato in places. Clever use of SFX added to the drama of the film and the vampires were clearly other-worldly but I felt that their humanity was too strong; they were out in daytime, weren't overly strong or fast, and didn't particularly seem to have any psychic powers etc and the thing that bugged me was that they got out of breath when they ran... silly little things that weren't really explained but added to the thought that this wasn't a vampire film so much as a fantasy that answered to it's own rules.
I am not sure why the film wasn't distributed more, however, can see it has a low budget feel but it's gripping and not particularly predictable which is good. The story was simple and a little naïve but it doesn't spell everything out like some American films, so that added to Byzantium's charm and darkness, perhaps, and it told it's story honestly and openly.
I recommend this film to vampire-interested viewers, if they have an open mind to the genre, those who like a dark historical drama with a little fantasy or simply to witness some rather powerful performances. Arterton fans will certainly not be disappointed. The young Ronan certainly showed a lot of promise - she will go far I'm sure. Caleb Landry Jones as Frank was very good, I wanted to see more of him as the film closed (a sequel?) and of course Sam Riley (awesome in On The Road) was delicious as Darvell. Not a perfect film but a very good one!
Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan were both superb. Chillingly good, passionate, compelling and performed perfectly. Gemma exposing herself to a demanding role, and Saoirse in a difficult role as she had to remain so withdrawn and the eye of the storm. Jonny Lee Miller, whilst a heinous character, was superb and almost unrecognisable as his handsome self - proving yet again his chameleon-like qualities as an actor. The screenplay was minimalist and not overly wordy, leaving the story telling to atmosphere, acting and imagery but the dialogue that there was, was powerful if a little staccato in places. Clever use of SFX added to the drama of the film and the vampires were clearly other-worldly but I felt that their humanity was too strong; they were out in daytime, weren't overly strong or fast, and didn't particularly seem to have any psychic powers etc and the thing that bugged me was that they got out of breath when they ran... silly little things that weren't really explained but added to the thought that this wasn't a vampire film so much as a fantasy that answered to it's own rules.
I am not sure why the film wasn't distributed more, however, can see it has a low budget feel but it's gripping and not particularly predictable which is good. The story was simple and a little naïve but it doesn't spell everything out like some American films, so that added to Byzantium's charm and darkness, perhaps, and it told it's story honestly and openly.
I recommend this film to vampire-interested viewers, if they have an open mind to the genre, those who like a dark historical drama with a little fantasy or simply to witness some rather powerful performances. Arterton fans will certainly not be disappointed. The young Ronan certainly showed a lot of promise - she will go far I'm sure. Caleb Landry Jones as Frank was very good, I wanted to see more of him as the film closed (a sequel?) and of course Sam Riley (awesome in On The Road) was delicious as Darvell. Not a perfect film but a very good one!