The Wisdom of Crocodiles (1998)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Po-Chih Leong

Writer:

Paul Hoffman (writer)

Release Date:

1 May 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Handsome. Seductive. Deadly.

Plot:

Vampire in London is searching for the ideal woman to 'redempt' him.

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Female Nudity | Blood | Love | Male Nudity

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Jude Law	...	Steven Grlscz
Elina Löwensohn	...	Anne Labels
Timothy Spall	...	Inspector Healey
Jack Davenport	...	Sergeant Roche
Colin Salmon	...	Martin
Hitler Wong	...	Noodles Chan
Kerry Fox	...	Maria Vaughan
Stuart Bowman	...	Car Crash Mechanic
C.J. December	...	Car Crash Mechanic
Anastasia Hille	...	Karen
Nicholas Lamont	...	Toll Bridge Attendant (as Nick Lamont)
Joseph O'Conor	...	Mr. Nancarrow
Ashley Artus	...	Gang Leader
Tom Wu	...	Gang Member
Hon Ping Tang	...	Gang Member

Also Known As:

Immortality (USA) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong violence and gore, language, and sexuality.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Australia:MA (TV rating) | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | France:-12 | Singapore:R(A) | Spain:13 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Kew Bridge Steam Museum, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK

Company:

Goldwyn Films

Trivia:

The love poem quoted throughout movie is a love song taken from the bible - "The song of Solomon".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Steven is standing in the police lineup he has a bruise on the corner of his mouth. During his interrogation in the next scene, the bruise is gone.

Quotes:

Anne Labels: My mother always had some story about what happened to little girls who didn't make their beds or who didn't come home in time for tea. That's why I never judge book by its cover, I never look before I leap, and that worrying is the Devil's favourite pastime.
Steven Grlscz: I've never heard that one before.
Anne Labels: About the Devil? Come on. Let's go.
Steven Grlscz: Shouldn't it be I always look before I leap?
Anne Labels: What did I say?
Steven Grlscz: Never.
Anne Labels: Oh.

Slow, but engaging and strong dialogue

As a vampire-movie enthusiast I had some high hopes for this picture. Jude Law usually makes for pleasant watching and Elina Lowensohn matches perfectly. That's the first good thing about the movie that really stood out to me: the casting is perfect. Not stereotypical, but very believable and right on target.

The movie is a bit slow and doesn't offer a lot in the way of a horror-movie as most viewers might expect it to, but it tells an engaging story. The plot isn't overly original, but when you look at some of the details, it's obviously well thought out. I loved most of the dialogue: witty, to the point and original. No fake grandeur or excessive posing (like many vampire movies do have), subtle jokes and no giveaways by the characters.

The movie is a good one overall, but even on its strong points, it sometimes misses genius and excellence, so only a 7 for this one.