I will repeat what other reviewers have said about this movie before me: if you expect action,horror,gore and sex in the type of Blade or Underworld, don't watch it, because you will be disappointed. This is an "art" movie, directed by a Japanese director, which means that there is little dialog, the plot is very simple, on the limit of boring to some viewers, and that the movie will try to convey to you the feelings of the main characters through a unique filming technique,the lightning, the camera angles and the general atmosphere of the movie. From this point of view this movie is a small masterpiece, describing to perfection the never ending sadness and pain of an immortal and indestructible creature. I have never understood so well a vampire character, nor felt so deeply for one as in this movie. Interview with a vampire came really close, but it lacked the superb atmosphere of Tale of a vampire. What does one have to live for if one has lost the most precious thing in one's life? And how excruciating is it to know that you are condemned to live on, forever, with this pain. It is what Alex, the vampire, is feeling, and the acting from Julian Sands is superb. Suzanne Hamilton is Anne, a woman who has also lost someone dear, and a very complex character to my eyes. Although she barely speaks, you understand that she is brave, lonely, kind, understanding, warm, balancing between despair and hope. The destinies of Anne and Alex cross each other due to the mysterious character Edgar, a reference to the poet and writer Edgar Allan Poe. The movie reflects a lot the sad and tragic atmosphere of his poems, as Anne's and Alex's fate begin to unfold. Fantastic vampire movie! p.s. *major spoiler alert!!!* for those who do not understand why that little girl falls from the sky with a sword in her, it's Edgar's doing to incriminate Alex and force him to kill the witnesses. Edgar has a sword, remember? Also, it looks to me as if Edgar is responsible for the death of Anna's fiancé too since he's at the scene of the car accident in the very first scene. He planned it all to bring these 2 together and have his revenge on Alex.

All mood, little substance seeps from this subdued, slowly paced melancholy modern-day vampire tale of sensual passion and obsessive love. Director / co-writer Shimako Sato does show promise with this Gothic low budget horror effort. This is on the technical side though, as the material is quite flawed and limited. Still there was a good (if unique) enough story within the framework wanting to emerge, and the ending throws up an unexpected chain of events. There's mystery, and it's driven by its characters and the tragic air is drilled in tight. But on the other hand the script is a little stuffy and empty, and there's a lack of thrills even though it does quench itself in some bloody, viscous scenes. It's quite messy on the blood drinking too. Even with these jolts, it focuses more on the moving story at hand. Some of the traditional vampire customs see little daylight too. The exemplary Julian Sands' beautifully placid, forlorn, heart-aching presence doesn't look out-of-place, and leading lady Suzanna Hamilton complements Sands with a edgy, but determined performance. However it's Kenneth Cranham's dark, enigmatic support turn that surprisingly engages. Sato purposely stages a bleak atmospheric stench with steady timing, and her articulate visual sense is dangerously succulent and enticingly poetic. It's ambitious, and haunting to watch. Elegantly masterful photography gives it a real personal guidance, brooding lighting shapes up nicely and the sweeping orchestral score is ineffectually jarring and emotionally layered.

This is one of the most morbid and thoroughly depressing vampire stories I have ever seen...and yet, it also contains moments of dark beauty that nearly redeem it.Alex (Julian Sands) is a lonely, centuries old vampire wandering the streets of London. The only woman he ever loved was lost to him centuries ago...but there's a new woman in his life, a woman named Ann who bears an extraordinary resemblance to Virginia, the young girl Alex once loved. Ann has recently lost a love of her own to a fiery car crash, and lives deep in her own gray depression. After an anonymous letter leads her to a new job in an occult library, Ann begins a slow, hesitant courtship with Alex, whom she finds both attractive and a little spooky. Alex, confused and jaded (and also unable to refrain from imagining himself feeding on Ann) holds her at arms length. But the fears and emotions of Alex and Ann are not the only complications in their relationship. There's another man stalking them both...a man named Edgar, who was once married to Virginia and has been looking for Alex for a very long time.This movie is, quite obviously, an homage to the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe, most of which dealt with the sad, early deaths of beautiful young women, one of which was Poe's own wife and cousin, Virginia. It is a slow, dark, oppressively bleak tale, filled with blood and despair. It is an all-too mortal tale of loves lost and people scarred by the cruelties of life, be it mortal or immortal. This sad tale of pain has no happy ending and reinforces the depressing ideal that what we love most will be taken from us forever, before the love can ever be admitted, known, expressed and shared. This film is beautifully shot and has great performances. The story is nothing new, but its strange little twists almost make up for that fact. By all means, see it at least once, especially if you're a fan of vampire cinema...just don't watch it when you're already depressed, because it won't do a thing to snap you out of it.

Best vampire movie I have seen in a long time.I have many vampire films and quite enjoy the genre. Unfortunately most vampire (or horror, for that matter) films go for action and gore instead of more subtle approaches. Which is where this film really shines. Slow and Plot-Driven would be the keywords for this film, as there is not much violence and the gore that is included is merely there so we can see the main character for the monster he is, as well is his human side, for the added contrast.The performances by the actors are on the whole good, the settings are truly excellent and ambient light and sounds are used with great attention and a certain amount of style, and create exactly the right atmosphere at each moment. One such instant would be every time the vampire (Sands) is in a dark scene with another character, nice use of lighting to show his heightened senses. The script is also solid, with good dialogue and character development.I can understand those who dislike the film, though. It IS slow, and for those who just meant to grab a quick and violent vampire flick, this is not the right movie. On the other hand, if you enjoy the vampire mythos and would like to see a film driven by characters and a good script (as opposed to ultraviolence to a frantic techno beat) then this film is for you.The lack of huge fangs was also a nice change, this vampire is mostly human, and the eroticism of the vampire legend is not lost in this film, and believably carried by the actors.Highly recommended (for the right audience)