When an experiment in blood-letting goes wrong…
Camp.
Camp.
Camp.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014) is a documentary primarily concerning the existence of four vampires in New Zealand, although we eventually get to meet other members of other groups of the supernatural community. We follow along as the four are profiled insofar as to their pasts, interests, and predilections, as they propagate their kind, and how they struggle with the problems inherent in being a former human, but now a creature immune to the normal vicissitudes of a human body. Friends and family die, no more day-time lunches, dressing for a night out without a mirror, those damn vampire-hunters, that sort of thing.
I think this was very well thought out and very well done, but somehow I never really quite found my way to the proper place to really enjoy it. True, the Procession of Shame had me laughing out loud, and my Arts Editor and I laughed at a few other bits, but giving the lead vampire the stereotypical mannerisms of a gay gentleman was distracting, I think. Although seriously trying to discuss such a choice in the context of a mythological creature has its own set of existential canards, but since it is a story, if of a variety unique to our age, it does make a twisted sort of sense to argue about such artistic decisions.
Then again, I never did get into This Is Spinal Tap (1984) either, so perhaps my sense of humor is somewhat defective. Many other critics liked it, and I can understand why. But it didn’t quite trip my wire, as it were.
Your mileage may vary.
Camp.
Camp.
Camp.
