Habit

New York restaurant owner Sam (Larry Fessenden) meets the sexy, mysterious, short haired Anna at a Halloween party and falls head over heels in lust over her. He dumps his bland girlfriend and proposes a relationship, but eventually discovers that Anna's strange, kinky behavior (like blood cravings and never eating, smoking, drinking or going out in daylight) is actually attributed to the fact that she's a vampire.

Good use is made out of various NYC locations, the unknown actors are decent, the songs are good and the script (by the director) is well written. Fessenden, who is missing a front tooth, is also a refreshingly anti-Hollywood type of leading man. He also served as editor and did the sound for this respectable, but often bland, effort, which played several film festivals, including Sundance.

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this film was despite it's serious lack of budget. The film follows the trail of an alcoholic restaurant manager, emotionally distraught over the recent death of his Hemingway-esque father and a break up with a girlfriend. He succumbs to an innocent-looking yet mysterious woman at a party and his "downward spiral" begins. There are a few flaws I saw in this movie, namely that if one is going for the "is this real or all in his head?" angle perhaps more should have been developed for the vampire girl. Was she really a vampire or wasn't she? It seems fairly obvious in some scenes that she was but it could be argued that the lead character's shaky hold on sanity made him imagine some of this. A tighter script could have helped. Good sex scenes, which one rarely finds in a horror film, and some better-than-average acting make this film really enjoyable despite some of the script's flaws.

I love this movie. Fessenden's camera is relentless and surprising - likewise with his edit - he is simple, unique, and engaging - like a down-beat Cassavetes, he works on small impulses and real urban rhythms - while not perfect,the film is dreamily shaggy, a creepy joy every step of the way. beautifuly realized (great art-direction and photography) - this and Ferara's "The Addiction" make a great po-mo NY vampire double bill. BRAVO!

The cover box tricked me. Ebert liked it. The director/actor/writer won a "One to Watch" Spirit Award. Many have voted positively on this film. I don't understand. This low budget movie looks like a student film but lacks the passion or integrity any mid-level college project possesses. Don't see this film. If you do -- don't blame me -- I warned you.

Bar manager / lush whose life is collapsing around him thinks he may have a chance for a better life when he falls in love, but then he notices that his girlfriend likes to bite and drink blood. As the relationship grows more sexual, the more paranoid he is about her being a vampire.

Fresh take on the vampire legend offers new ideas and is well made on an ultra low budget. It has strong character development and is presented in a realistic manner. The sexual scenes in the film also make you wonder, was it real of faked?