Movie Review: The Addiction

The Addiction
Fast Films, Guild, October Films, USA, 1995.

New York philosophy student Kathleen Conklin (Lili Taylor) is studying the horrors of 20th century. Fellow student Jean (Edie Falco) takes a pragmatic view to the studies, but Kathleen is deeply concerned about the evils of human race. She meets vampire Casanova (Annabella Sciorra) who says that Kathleen could just ask her to go away. She doesn't ask so the vampire bites her and Kathleen gets sick. The doctors say that she is fine but she develops an ever worsening blood lust. 

Jean and Kathleen

Kathleen meets Casanova

The lust for blood makes Kathleen almost forget what it is like to be a human. Kathleen's nihilistic behaviour and disturbing views about addiction make Jean worried. As Jean does not ask Kathleen to go away, she bites also her. Actually none of the victims ever ask her to back off or try to fight the vampires. It is like symbolising helplessness of humans when facing absolute evil. Then another vampire Peina (Christopher Walken) tries to teach Kathleen fasting and abstinence. By controlling his bloodlust he is able to live like a normal human being. For Kathleen fasting is painful and does not end well. 

Kathleen and one of her victims (Kathryn Erbe)

Peina

This is a serious vampire drama with themes like Vietnam trauma, AIDS-hysteria, drug addiction, sin and redemption. It is a perfect companion piece to "Bad Lieutenant". What the movie tries to point out is that controlling urges and impulses separate humans from vampires or junkies. However the dialogue is hard to understand at times, as philosophical terms and names are dropped without much explanations. Stylish black and white cinematography makes it look like French art house film or in some scenes "Night of the Living Dead. The ending comes to an almost Buddhistic conclusion:

"To face what we are in the end, we stand before the light and our true nature is revealed. Self-revelation is annihilation of self.”

Rating: Very good

Starring: Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, Annabella Sciorra, Edie Falco, Paul Calderon, Fredro Starr, Kathryn Erbe, Michael Imperioli, Jamal Simmons, Robert W. Castle, Michael A. Fella, Louis Katz, Leroy Johnson, Fred Williams, Avron Coleman, Lisa Casillo, Frank Aquilino, Nicholas De Cegli, Jay Julien, Chuck Jeffreys, Edward Conna, Nancy Ellen Anzalone, Susan Mitchell, Mary Ann Hannon, John Vincent McEvily, Bianca Pratt, Christina Campanella, Anthony Giangrande, Kevin Scullin, Heather Bracken, Harrison Freed, Joseph C. Reyes
Director: Abel Ferrara