Cinematic Point Of View

Yesterday afternoon was the perfect day to see Robert Eggers Nosferatu at the perfect theater in downtown Lexington, The Kentucky Theater.

It was New Year’s Eve. It was my birthday. I went alone during a work day. The sky was filled with dark clouds. I pulled up my hood and leaned into the icy wind as I walked up from the parking garage to the theater a few blocks away.

The streets were eerily empty and quiet. The stage was set.

The Theater

Inside, standing behind the concession stand, I was greeted by General Manager Fred Mills. One of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. He served me a drink and popcorn before I rounded the corner and shook hands with Executive Director Hayward Wilkirson. These two, along with Board Chair Lisa Meek, and other attentive staff, help make The Kentucky Theater stand apart from any other theater experience. They all work hard to make this place great and you’ll see them right out front almost every time you visit.

Doesn’t matter what you see at The Kentucky Theater, they always go the extra mile to make every film feel like an event. For Nosferatu they had a coffin in the back with the man himself resting peacefully inside next to flickering candles. You gotta love it.

This was a one o’clock screening on a work day. I basically had the theater to myself until minutes before it started. The screen is huge, bright, and vibrant. The sound system is powerful enough to rock your body and the theater itself creates such a perfect, chapel-like reverb.

This is my church. I took a seat on the third row.

The Kentucky Theater is also a nonprofit organization. I upgraded my membership to bronze this year. Before each screening they show a list of donors’ names at different levels. This was the first time I was able to see my name up on screen. It was very satisfying to know my little donation helps keep this place open.

The Movie

What is Nosferatu about? It’s a remake of the 1922 silent film which was inspired (unauthorized?) by Bram Stoker’s original novel Dracula. It’s a tale of obsession and repressed desires steeped in gothic vibes and the fears, beliefs, and superstitions of the supernatural.

Nosferatu hits hard right out of the gate. It sets a tone that continues throughout. It’s loud and in your face. It fully immerses you in it’s period setting. You feel transported.

The beautiful cinematography and lavish set design create an overwhelming sense of dread in every moment. It takes hold of you and doesn’t let go. It’s heart stopping music and sound design will live in your head and chest.

At the end the day, it isn’t the plot that makes this film special, it’s the characters and themes they represent.

An excellent Nicholas Hoult plays Thomas Hutter, a naive young husband looking to land a big real estate deal for his employer Knock, played by Simon McBurney with over-the-top sinister glee.

Willem Dafoe plays Prof. Albin Eberhart von Franz, an eccentric yet brilliant academic called upon to assist in saving Ellen and stopping Orlock. Dafoe is fantastic as always. He is the master of taking his particular brand of acting and making it work perfectly in almost any genre of film.

Bill Skarsgård, as Count Orlok, is absolutely chilling and honestly unrecognizable. While there are moments of humor within his dialogue, Orlock is truly terrifying in every scene. You will fear for the lives of anyone within his reach. He is death.

Lily-Rose Depp plays Ellen Hutter, Nicholas’s wife and the object of Count Orlok’s obsession. Having had psychic abilities her entire life, Ellen has always felt alone, unheard, and unwanted, that is until she met Nicholas. Lily-Rose puts everything she’s got into portraying Ellen. Complete bravery and abandon.

Death and decay. Love and sacrifice. Fear and desire. Mental health. The roles of men and women in society. The old religious world versus modern thinking. The corruption of power. All of these themes run pulsing through the veins of Nosferatu.

This is as intense a film as I’ve seen in the theater in long time.

Nosferatu isn’t a film for the whole family but I highly recommend it. You’ll know if this is your cup of tea before you take the plunge. There won’t be many viewers left on the fence.

Have you seen it yet? I’m interested to hear your point of view.