Watch Martin

Martin is a Spanish language movie from the year 1997 that explores the dark themes of vampirism, lust, and desire in a beautifully crafted story. Directed by George A. Romero, the movie's narrative follows Martin (Juan Diego Botto), a twenty-year-old man haunted by the family legend that he is secretly a vampire. Martin's unfortunate circumstances lead him to move with his estranged cousin Cuda (Federico Luppi), a devout Catholic who believes Martin is indeed a vampire and looks to purify him through religious means.

Martin's life is a constant struggle between his bloodthirst and his humane nature. He moves to Juan's house with the intention of rekindling the forgotten folklore of vampires, but things change when he meets his married cousin's stunning neighbor, Christina (Cristina Nehring). The movie's storyline plays with the idea of reimagining the vampire myth into something more than just an evil creature. Martin is not a traditional vampire but rather a misunderstood outsider, a juvenile delinquent, and someone who just wants to fit in.

The movie's dark mood is evident from the start, with Martin's journey into the routine of stalking young women, drugging them with sleeping pills, and drinking their blood, all while trying to appear ordinary in his daily life. Martin's nature is the antithesis of a traditional vampire, and his beastly nature is not innate but rather something he learnt through observation of his surroundings. From watching Dracula films and reading vampire novels, Martin begins to understand his family's legacy, believing he is indeed a vampire, and destroys all mirrors in his cousin's home, unable to bear the sight of his own reflection.

The movie's atmosphere is striking, with unsettling images that emphasize the grittiness of Martin's hometown. Juan Diego Botto's portrayal of Martin is what makes the movie, with his performance bringing a sense of sympathy for this outsider who has lost all hope of finding his place in society. Federico Luppi's role is crucial in the movie, with his conviction and strength in his faith pushing Martin to confront his inner demons.

Eusebio Poncela's role as the local radio host is a vital thread in the movie's storyline. Martin calls his radio show, and the conversation between the two is a battle of beliefs that summarize the movie's central theme. Through the exchange, the audience sees the struggle between good and evil, the limitations of faith, and the complexities of temptation.

The movie delicately balances humor and drama, with moments of lightness breaking the movie's intense underlying tone. The use of black-and-white photography in the scenes that depict Martin's flashbacks to his ancestors give a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the past, reinforcing how Martin has deviated from his family's traditional path.

Martin is a beautifully crafted movie that takes the vampire legend and humanizes the concept. The movie is a character study of sorts, with its focus centered on Martin's conflict between the human and the beast inside him. The movie's conclusion is both fulfilling and unsatisfying, tying all the threads together but leaving the audience with an unsettling feeling.

In conclusion, Martin is a dark and gloomy movie that tackles the complexity of the vampire mythology. The movie's unique perspective lends a fresh take on the vampire genre, with its focus on the protagonist's struggles and moral dilemma. Directed by horror legend George A. Romero, the movie is an intricately layered character study that leaves a lasting impression. Whether one is a fan of the horror genre or not, Martin is a movie worth watching for its fantastic storytelling, stunning cinematography, and astounding performances.