MovieChat Forums > Byzantium (2013) Discussion > What I loved about the movie

What I loved about the movie

posted 11 years ago by Voice-of-Discernment
10 replies | jump to latest

Okay, so first off... I'm surprised there aren't more people on this board, discussing actual plot points or the characters themselves. Awesome that Gemma Arterton's panties make a special appearance on the board, though, they're clearly the most important part of the movie *sarcasm*. Usually IMDb users like to dissect a movie to its very core but here there's just silence. Hm, weird.

But anywho... I saw this movie with a friend because the trailer really sparked our interest. 5PM on a Wednesday, it was just us and 5 more people in the cinema. Again, pretty weak for something in its first week of release. I didn't leave the cinema super-impressed but apparently this is one of those movies that lingers after you're done watching and makes you remember images and scenes or lines of it every now and then. So a few days after having seen it, I have to say that the best thing "Byzantium" has done is to change the "vampire" mythology. I love the idea of the creepy island, I love the fact that, when people go there, they meet a different version of themselves, like having to face a mirror... and that it looks like their reflection is murdering them. I love the red river flowing over the dark rock. And I love the dramatic music. The whole "becoming a vampire" thing is given a sort of spiritual side; as if becoming an immortal is not the sign of a virus or a magical ritual, but the result of being forced to see some truths about yourself. Also, I find it appropriate that there's no explanation for it all: that's just what happens, it's not described as magical or scientific. It's not given any historical explanation, either. Because it isn't needed here. I love that they can't make more vampires by biting people. I never realized how beaten to death that point was until I saw this movie that didn't feature it. It was... refreshing.

Also, even though the main characters were highly flawed, I appreciate that they were all human. Even Darvell was not the black-and-white character I expected him to be and in the end he showed some boyish type of hope in getting with the girl. I guess that move was meant to be taken as romantic, but really now, in the spirit of the rest of the plot, it just came off as slightly amusing. Human, but amusing nonetheless. Especially when you know that wooing men is what Clara does for a living.

So yeah, all in all I really liked it. Not as much for the present-day plot, which I thought dragged on for more than needed. But more for the change in approach.

Elegant and ferocious neither good nor bad. Full of beautiful things. Unspeakable things

[–] Steve7216 11 years ago

Most likely, the meager activity on this board and the small number of user reviews has to do with the exceptionally small release in the U.K. and N. America. IFC hasn't exactly done a lot of marketing.

I'm a huge Saoirse fan, but the film hasn't even been booked in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area. This is despite the fact that we have a number of theaters from here north to Delray Beach that book foreign and indie titles. They have booked it in a small Daytona Beach art house and one cinema in Gainsville. Both locations are four-plus hours one way drive for me.

In any event, you made some good points. Perhaps you might post on the Saoirse board. We have over four-hundred posts on the Byzantium Reviews/Reactions thread.

[–] DCI77 11 years ago

That's what I liked about it, too. The way the myth was portrayed - with the island and secondary characters being interesting and human. Darvell's attempt to gain Clara's companionship was also a nice touch - very sweet and subtle.

The silence is mainly due to it having no real traction amongst IMDb users (message board traffic), no real push from the critics and it having a very small release. It's a killer for any movie to get any substantial audience.

2013 Most Anticipated - Stoker, The Spectacular Now, Frances Ha

[–] Cojay8 11 years ago

I am very sad it didn't get more draw. I really reall loved it and completely agree with you. It's disappointing that more won't know about this great film

[–] matt-baen 11 years ago

"I find it appropriate that there's no explanation for it all"

I agree; there's a tendency in supernatural horror and fantasy to over-explain supernatural phenomena like it were a rulebook for a role-playing game. One great thing about Let's Scare Jessica To Death is that it's all under-explained.

[–] djblack1313 11 years ago

this movie was superb! it was a breath of fresh air. my friend and i both loved it!

[–] SteveResin 11 years ago

I love the idea of the creepy island

I enjoyed the movie, but this part annoyed me. There is no way an island would go undiscovered except for a chosen few who wish to be immortal this far into history, ridiculous. Fair enough in the late 18th century, but 2013? Nah.

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Duty Now For The Future

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Jose Guilherme 10 years ago

Agree with the OP... refreshing view of the theme. Also too many explanations makes for didatic movies... not great movies... so happy they went for less is more in that regard.

[–] Amritz101 10 years ago

I enjoyed the movie, but this part annoyed me. There is no way an island would go undiscovered except for a chosen few who wish to be immortal this far into history, ridiculous. Fair enough in the late 18th century, but 2013? Nah.

It may have been discovered, but overlooked. The tiny island was clearly uninhabitable as there is no flat surface & vegetation & the cave is hidden up the jagged rocks.