Interview With The Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

In 1791, plantation owner Louis De Pointe Du Lac (Brad Pitt) is unhappy with the life he has, until Lestat De Lioncourt (Tom Cruise) comes into his life. Lestat, a vampire, allows Louis to make the decision of either death or life as a vampire forever. And until his decision is already made, does Louis realize what he has become. He refuses to take human life and is about to leave when Lestat, being the clever being that he is, turns a little orphan girl, Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) into a vampire to make Louis stay. The story is told by Louis in 1991 to an interviewer about the lives of himself, Lestat and Claudia through trouble, death, curse and love over the past 200 years. Hilarity ensues.

Trivia: Author Anne Rice wrote the part of Lestat with Rutger Hauer in mind. Upon learning that Tom Cruise had been cast, she was quite disappointed and expressed concern that Cruise could not carry the part. After attending a screening, Rice wrote a letter of apology, quite pleased with Cruise's portrayal. Cruise wanted a private set, and hence tunnels were built to escort the actors to and from the set. This was done so that the vampire's makeup effects would remain a secret. Cruise was placed on an elevated platform during some scenes to reduce the height difference between his character and other vampires. Johnny Depp was offered the role of Lestat. (Sorry Kim)

This was a great movie, it just felt old and decrepit. Cruise and Pit were good and creepy but Dunst, who was 12 at the time really stole the movie. The living doll that Dunst turns into is in stark contrast to her blood lust and her manipulative personality. This movie inpired me to read Anne Rice's books and they were actually very good.