The Wolf Man

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Here's something you might be surprised to hear me say: This is the first time I've ever seen 1941's The Wolf Man. I am fully aware that this movie is considered not only a classic horror film, but arguably a classic film in general. Do I even need to go into the plot? It's arguably one of the most famous horror movie plots of all time. Larry Talbot is bitten by a werewolf during the full moon and the movie then must deal with his duality between man and beast. Almost immediately, I loved the performance by Lon Chaney. Before the man was even turned into a werewolf, he showed a level of charm and charisma that draws you to him right away. When he does finally become the wolf man, you really do buy into the emotions he conveys such as confusion and fear. Chaney also pulls of the animalistic nature of the character. One thing that never felt like it was made entirely clear was the film's setting. I think it's supposed to be a small English town, but I honestly can't say for sure. There were points where I was worried about the movie's slower pace. For the most part, it worked for me. Bela Lugosi does a great job as the gypsy fortune teller. The only thing I wish was that he had more screen time in the movie than he did. The same could easily go for Claude Rains as Larry's father, Sir John. He does a great job in the scenes he's in, but he only really seems to pop up every now and then. My favorite scene in the movie is a talk between Larry and his father. Larry is frightened and is almost interrogating his father, trying to see how much the man does and doesn't know. I like that we're not told the exact details right away, but given subtle hints to it at first. The reason this works for me is because the movie takes its time, building up to his transformation into the wolf man. This is a good tactic that many future monster movies (and horror movies in general) utilize. You're almost always aware of the threat. Knowing something is off gives you a feeling of genuine unease. The movie's score was good (but I can't say it ranks among some of my all-time favorites). The gothic imagery is amazing, and this movie is dripping with it. The man Gwen is engaged to is pointless. The romance of the movie is built up between Larry and Gwen. Gwen's fiance seems like he is going to play a role, but the movie seems to forget about him halfway through. Don't get me wrong, he still shows up a couple of times, but he never felt like an actual character, and he never left an impact on the movie or one The closest explanation we get to possibly building up Larry and Gwen's love story more (to a point she actually wants to run away with him) is that Gwen and her fiance have a fight, but nothing is said about the engagement being broken off, making it feel as though his character ends up serving no real purpose. The Wolf Man was an enjoyable movie in the end, even if it has some noticeable problems.

7 / 10