The Hunger (1983)
DVD9 | ISO+MDS | NTSC 16:9 | Cover + DVD Scan | 01:41:08 | 6,81 Gb
Audio: #1 English, #2 French - each AC3 1.0 @ 192 Kbps | Subs: English, French, Spanish
Genre: Horror, Romance, Thriller
DVD9 | ISO+MDS | NTSC 16:9 | Cover + DVD Scan | 01:41:08 | 6,81 Gb
Audio: #1 English, #2 French - each AC3 1.0 @ 192 Kbps | Subs: English, French, Spanish
Genre: Horror, Romance, Thriller
Miriam Blaylock (Deneuve), a female vampire living in modern day New York, begins her search for a new “lifelong” companion when John (Bowie), her current love of over a hundred years, begins to rapidly age and wither away within a 24-hour period. Miriam fancies a research doctor (Sarandon) who specializes in the aging process, and chooses her as her next lover. An extremely stylish, mature and atmospheric vamp flick is the result.
There aren’t too many people who have aged as wonderfully as the great French actress Catherine Deneuve has, and in THE HUNGER, she uses her sex appeal with great “oomph!” once more, looking as delectable as she did in BELLE DE JOUR, which was released 16 years prior to this film. She, of course, brings her acting prowess to the film as well, as does the legendary Ziggy Stardust. Why Bowie doesn’t do more films is beyond me…he’s pure lighting on screen.
Mark my words, you’ll be in complete awe at the screen presence he commands and the excitement he brings to this movie. Also, I’m usually unimpressed by the aging makeup effects used in movies (A BEAUTIFUL MIND was a joke!) but I guarantee you’ll be bowled over at the job they do on the Thin White Duke in this one – truly remarkable! In fact, the entire cast is on their game, from Susan Sarandon to "Cheers" alum Nick Tortelli (Dan Hedaya) playing a detective. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll be treated to one of the coolest men alive, Willem Dafoe, playing "Phone Booth Youth #2" – ace!
Then, of course, comes the man behind the camera. I was already a die-hard fan of Tony Scott, mostly due to his slam-bang action dramas like TRUE ROMANCE and THE LAST BOYSCOUT, as well his thrillers REVENGE, CRIMSON TIDE and MAN ON FIRE. So I was a little curious how he would handle an intelligent and artsy vampire movie…but handle it well, he did. You can see with this, his first full-length feature film, Scott already had that visual flair and music video mentality that he’d incorporate much more in his later films. This movie is much more subdued than his later work, yes, but not any less gorgeous to look at, or special to experience. The Blaylock’s house is especially striking and not one you’ll soon forget. I might have to look over the list of all the vamp movies I’ve seen again, but I know THE HUNGER is an easy contender as one of my very favorites of the genre…maybe even the best of them all.
Oh, and if you’re as big a fan of the classical piece used throughout TRUE ROMANCE as I am (Acte I, No 2: Duetto "Viens Mallika… Dôme épais le jasmin" from Opéra "Lakmé"), then you’ll be even happier to learn that Scott first made use of it in this film, and quite masterfully I might add. In fact, all the classical pieces in the film just help add to the unique mood of this darkly romantic, original and bloody vampire tale. This film is widely known for its famous and erotic lesbian sex scene, but don’t be fooled, this is a beautiful movie in every sense of the word and definitely not one to be missed…
For all the critics have to say, I must admit that this is one of my cult favorites. I keenly remember anticipating its release and seeing it at the 8th St. Playhouse theatre (where the weekly Rocky Horror movie/show ran for years in NYC). The mood and cinematography attest to its aspirations and for me are quite successful. In particular, the choice of soundtrack music is quite adept and urbane although only those very familiar with classical music will appreciate the tie-ins: Deneuve's playing of Ravel's "Gibet" from "Gaspard de la Nuit" for piano after John passes and after Sarandon's character makes her first kill…her husband. This piece is Ravel's programmatic interpretation of a French poem which describes a person wearily walking under the intense scorching sun and seeing something in the distance, approaches, only to find a corpse strung up, rotting in the midday sun.
Beautiful usage of Schubert's Piano Trio as well as haunting movements of a Schubert piano sonata. Then there is the obvious thematic tie-in with "Lakmé" by Délibes. (Lesbian love) And you've got to love the use of the band BAUHAUS in the opening sequence-with the lead singer singing "Bela Lugosi's Dead" in the suspended cage. Deneuve is absolutely ravishing and used to great effect and lovingly photographed. David Bowie does an exceptional turn as her lover. What I admire most is the movie's ability to paint a feeling and mood of their existence outside time, eternally present yet eternally on the fringe, startlingly beautiful yet shrouded, veiled, amorphous and ultimately predatorial. Finally, the thought that Deneuve's past lovers never die but are trapped eternally in a constantly decaying shell is absolutely frightening. Did I mention that Deneuve is sublimely beautiful?!IMDB Reviewer
Special Features:
- Audio commentary with director Tony Scott and star Susan Sarandon (recorded separately and edited together)
- Theatrical Trailer
- Stills Gallery
Many Thanks to Original uploader.