After first seeing him in Boogie Nights in 1997, John C. Reilly instantly got my attention as an actor who could do it all. He could be funny even though never intends to, be a good supporting or character actor and have the ability to carry the lead role. After hearing a great commentary track by director Paul Thomas Anderson on a deleted from Boogie Nights, I found it fascinating that he never breaks out of character during a scene until the director says cut. When actors around him screw up on dialogue or lose character, he keeps going with the scene. I also found out he is very good at improvisation, coming up with something fast if the scene has lost all hope. Granted none of these scenes make it or are rarely left in so most people can’t really see the true genius of this guy’s work. I also find it disappointing that he has played the lead in such movies as Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and Step Brothers, but still isn’t a household name. He even earned himself a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Chicago. He will once again play the lead (deservedly so) in the horror-comedy, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant.
Patrick Fugit's freak power is apparently leprosy.
The movie follows Darren Shan (Chris Massoglia), a typical 16-year-old suburban kid looking for something to do. While with his friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson, Journey to the Center of the Earth), they stumble upon a poster of a circus freak show coming to town. Darren and Steve sneak out after hours and attend the show. They are amazed by the odd performances. When they see Larten Cresply (John C. Reilly) perform, they recognize him from an old vampire book. Admitting after the show that he is indeed a vampire, Larten asks Darren if he want to become one. Not content with his “normal” life, he agrees to join. He soon learns the ways of the vampire from Larten and joins the traveling sideshow called Cirque Du Freak. Darren is later caught up in a war with other vampires and he must save himself before he truly loses control.
The movie also co-stars Ken Watanabe, (Letters From Iwo Jima), Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man), Orlando Jones, (Drumline), Salma Hayek (Ask the Dust) and Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous). It was directed and co-written by Paul Weitz. Weitz wrote and directed American Dreamz and the very good About a Boy. He was up for best-adapted screenplay for About a Boy. Cirque du Freak was also co-written by Academy Award winner Brian Helgeland, who won for Mystic River and was nominated for L.A. Confidential. Weitz and Helgeland adapted the script from a series of vampire books called “The Saga of Darren Shan” which the author of the same name, Darren Shan, wrote.
Hottie or nottie?
This looks wildly entertaining and should be somewhat successful considering horror-comedies are getting bigger this year with films like Drag Me to Hell and the Zombieland. Plus, it’s based off a vampire book and should satisfy people who can’t wait the see the other vampire movie coming this year, New Moon. This has a perfect release date as well because it’s sandwiched between Zombieland and New Moon. This should be entertaining with most of the horror contained within the comedy. I’ll probably see this because I really like John C. Reilly and it’s written and adapted by two fabulous writers.
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant opens October 23rd.
