Extremely indie, and extremely low-budget - betrayed by the sound design, cinematography, acting, direction, editing, effects, costume design, dialogue (including narration), and so on. The audio and visuals alike plainly date the movie; though unremarkable in the grand scheme of things, I do appreciate the music of Philip Foxman and Mark Sterling. The plot and its advancement are very direct and curt. None of this is to say that 'The vampire project' can't be a good movie - only that anyone who stumbles onto it needs to be open to the unmistakable limitations, style, and figurative timestamp.
What we have here is a pretty classic story of discovering a creature of the night, who in turn becomes enamored of a young lady. This rendition follows aspiring journalists and filmmakers pursuing truths about New York nightclubs; that the picture at large is so readily dated to the mid-90s is rather appropriate seeing as a significant portion of the film effectively consists of "found-footage" stylings. Yet for all the idiosyncrasies of 'The vampire project,' and any subjective weaknesses, I think this is very well done. It comes across as a student film, or perhaps a passion project among friends, yet with substantial, welcome care across the board that makes the most of their resources. While the means to realize the production restrict the full potential, Michael Morris' direction is capable, and John Sullivan's screenplay is gratifyingly smart and strong. The scene writing is solid, and the overall narrative is duly compelling. Kudos, too, for concluding the film with an open-ended denouement that inspires one to wonder at the possibilities.
Yes, one could easily lean into their inner critic and pick apart every last detail aspect that's deficient and unbecoming of what is now a widely-available title. Even recognizing the humble origins of this small feature, however, it's unquestionably brimming with sincerity and hard work, and with that I can handily look past notable peculiarities. Distinctly bereft of the benefits of major financial backing, 'The vampire project' nevertheless boasts excellent craftsmanship that imparts a well-considered narrative. If this isn't why we watch movies, then what is? As a matter of personal preference I know this won't appeal to everyone, but for my part, I'm deeply pleased at how splendid this is, and how well it holds up. Clocking in at well under one hour, 'The vampire project' is worth watching if you have the chance!
