Byzantium Let me start by clarifying once and for all that whoever got the impression from the trailer that this was another Twilight wannabe vampire-romance, that you are dead wrong. That will be like comparing Godzilla with Bambi. Very different films. Byzantium tells the tale of a mother/daughter who are like regular people, trying to fit and survive in s struggling economic situation. Oh, yes, they are vampires too, but not in the traditional sense. They have no problem with daylight, no coffins, no supernatural powers, except that instead of fangs they use their pointy thumbnail to make incisions on their victims. Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters) plays sexpot prostitute Claire who will stop at nothing to protect her beloved 200 year old teenager daughter, Eleanor (Soirse Rohan), who after two centuries wants to change her path and seek a different life...which will jeopardize their very own existence since the Bethren, a society of male only vampires considers that no female should be immortal and have been after them for two centuries. The film could be considered more a drama than a horror film. It has fascinating character studies of the two main characters and the flashback sequences are well done for those longing for a little gothic lore. Soirse Rohan is a fine actress and does a magnificent performance as the troubled Eleanor. But for my money Gemma Arterton is the one truly makes this film work: she soothes eroticism and at the same time a sense of tragedy and danger which is the epitome of what a femme fatale should be. And when her baby girl gets in danger, she is just a ferocious wild animal. Very good film. 8/10
It is strange that Saoirse Ronan was seriously considered to be Scarlet Witch when Gemma Arterton will be PERFECT for that role! Saoirse Ronan is a fine young actress who seems more suitable for a role in a Hunger Games sequel than as the supersexy siren Scarlet Witch. Ronan's talent can't hide the fact that she has the body of an 11 year old boy.
