Dark Shadows (2012)

Dark Shadows first appeared in cinemas in 2012, but we were lucky enough to watch it in our weekly FilmClub. It tells the dark tale of Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp), brought to America by his wealthy parents, Joshua and Naomi Collins. There, they build Collinsport, a whole town named after the family. They set up a fishing business, which soon becomes immensely successful. So, they spend the next fifteen years building their exquisite mansion. Meanwhile Barnabas is living the high life, with his pick of beautiful women. But, he makes a dreadful mistake in denying his love for a woman named Angelique (Eva Green), who turns out to be a witch. She curses his parents, and they are soon brutally killed in what appears to be an accident.

Whilst attempting to get over his parents death, he falls in love with another woman, Josette (Bella Heathcote). Out of jealousy, Angelique curses her also. Josette then throws herself off a notorious cliff outside the house. In a fit of grief, Barnabas throws himself off the cliff after her, but survives the fall after Angelique curses him to become an immortal vampire.

He is then imprisoned in a coffin, accused of being a monster, for one-hundred and ninety-six years, meaning he is awoken in the year 1972 by some unsuspecting building workers. He makes his way back to his manor, to discover that his dysfunctional descendants still inhabit it. He meets the leader of the family, Elizabeth (Michelle Pfeiffer), her brother Roger (Johnny Lee Miller), her daughter, Carolyn (Chloe Grace Moretz), Roger’s son, David (Gulliver McGrath) and David’s psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter). Also, recently moved into the mansion, is David’s governess, calling herself Vicky. Whilst getting to know his family and rejuvenating the business, will Barnabas escape Angelique’s wrath?

This film was enjoyed by all in the club. It changed from hilariously funny to tear-jerkingly sad to mysteriously dark in a matter of seconds, meaning you were never really sure if you were crying from happiness or sadness!

The whole set-up of the film was very clever. The set was brilliant, especially the manor, which was beautifully designed. Each little intricate design wasn’t necessarily noticed but it deserved to be admired. Also, the secret passages and cupboards, which appear throughout the film, were a lovely touch.

The characters were great, all with really obvious personalities and traits that we could all relate to. My personal favourite character was the crazed Dr. Hoffman, as she was very quirky and funny, and you were never entirely sure of her alliances. I also loved the casting, Helena Bonham Carter was perfect. I’m usually not a fan of child actors, but both the children were great. Carolyn was very relatable, despite her being in a different era, with her constant moods and loud music. David was also a good character, brilliantly cast, but he didn’t play much of a part in the film. At the beginning you would have assumed him to be so, but he appeared to be lost in the script towards the end.

So, overall, I would recommend this film to anyone, even if you aren’t a comedy fan. Despite the vampire franchise being wrung dry, this still bought a new side to the typical assumption, despite its predictability