I doubt I will ever understand the nation's fascination with Mr. Tom Cruise. He is only a passable actor with a great smile. Nothing more. As long as he plays himself, he does just fine, but he is not the sort of actor who can disappear into a role – no matter what his people tell him. This film is a prime example of how a great story is ruined by casting. Now before you think I hold a grudge against him, I'll give you three reasons why he was not right for the role of Lestat. 1) Too old. Lestat was made a vampire when he was 19-years-old. Cruise was over 30 when he made the movie and though he has kept his "boyish" good looks, no one can tell me he looks that young. 2) Lestat was an aristocratic-looking European. Even with a blond wig, and an accent, Cruise is all-american, all the way. There's nothing hoi-polloi about him. 3) Lestat was both mischievous and menacing. One bad day of PMS and I could crush Cruise where he stands. He just doesn't exude evil to me. I wasn't scared of him. Period. In the novel, despite his impish sense of humor, Lestat is not a creature to be trifled with. He is very, very dangerous.

As one can probably guess, the film is about vampires. It's an intricate and enticing tale, told by Louis (Pitt) to a young reporter (Slater). He's been wandering the world for over 150 years and he's desperate to unburden his soul. Instead of dying like he wished, Louis was made into a vampire, forced to feed on the blood of others by the vampire Lestat (Cruise), a creature far older than even he. Louis didn't ask for this "gift." He has tried to make the best of his new life, but Lestat is not the most patient and kind of teachers. They try to settle down, becoming companions of a sort, but their ideas about life and death are worlds apart. To keep the peace, Lestat "gives" Louis a daughter, turning a sick little girl named Claudia (Dunst) into one of their own. She initially brings then together, however, as time goes on her anger at being trapped for eternity as a child brings dissension into their ranks. How could Lestat have done this too her? As they move about the Earth, they meet up with other vampires, ones who contradict Lestat's version of the world. Battles are fought and lives are lost in Lestat's bid for control. In the end, all Louis is left with is his unending thirst for human blood and a guilty soul that won't let him rest.