MOVIE REVIEW: Dark Shadows (2012)

Surprisingly, the opportunity for me to see films this summer is unusually optimistic, I missed practically everything in the 2011-2012 academic year, but I’m hoping to make up for that with what’s turning out to be a strong summer movie season. Last week’s offering for me was Dark Shadows, a Tim Burton-directed adaptation of a cult, gothic soap opera from the 60s. Up until the release of the film, this show was unbeknownst to me. It’s popularity amongst baby boomers apparent from how my mother (who I consider to be very “hip”) spoke very enthusiastically of it. Sure enough, Burton, and stars Johnny Depp (who is also a producer) and Michelle Pfeiffer (who’s always a pleasure to watch) were also huge fans of the show and the chemistry of the three is quite wonderful. While it’s not one of Burton’s strongest creative offerings, the love put into the project is apparent, and is overall, an enjoyable film to watch.

In the 1760s, young Englishman, Barnabas Collins immigrates to Maine with his wealthy family, and they begin a successful fishing business. The business helps develop the town, eventually adopting the Collins’s namesake and respect. However, a spurned witch, jealous over Barnabas’ newfound love, curses the family, kills the girlfriend, and turns Barnabas into a vampire; condemning him to a coffin until 1972, when he is finally unearthed by an unsuspecting construction crew. Barnabas relocates his former estate, now in the decrepit care of his ancestors. His newfound cousin, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, informs him that the family assets dried up, and the family business is all but gone. Barnabas reveals to her a hidden treasure vault, which helps fund restoration of the estate and the fishing business (now re-established as a cannery). However, Barnabas’s old flame is also alive and well, and still out to get the unsuspecting vampire.

There’s a lot going on in Dark Shadows, which makes for a bit more of a complex narrative than expected for a comedy. I didn’t really mind the meandering script, because I felt like the creative and aesthetic aspects of the show made up for it. The costumes and art design are excellent, and acting is terrific. Depp brings another fun characterization as Barnabas, bringing great highbrow humor to the “fish-out-of-water” aspect to the story. Pfeiffer is fantastic as always; her grace and restraint evokes that of classic film stars of the golden age of Hollywood. Chloe Moretz plays her rebellious daughter, and while it’s obvious she’s being typecast as an edgy teenager, she services the role just fine. Helena Bonham Carter plays the family psychiatrist, and is amusingly aloof. There are a couple interesting twists that occur, and the ending leaves less closure for some of the characters than I’d hoped for (as well as an obvious sequel-setup), but I still left feeling pleased.

Prior to watching Dark Shadows, I had heard mixed things like “uneven”, “sloppy”, and not scary enough. All these criticisms are valid, depending on your perspective on Burton. Sure, the man’s made a lot of dark films, but there’s no denying he has a lighter side, too (Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Ed Wood). The tone of Dark Shadows is akin to that of his earlier efforts, in fact, it comfortingly reminded me of something he would have made in the early 90s. The silliness and dark fantasy vibe are comparable to say, The Addams Family. I can easily recommend it for anyone that enjoyed the former film, and fans of the show should get a nice nostalgia kick.

8/10

Peace,
- Jon