Ok, I'm a few days late for this thread, but...
The Company of Wolves 8/10
This early Neil Jordan film almost defies classification, combining werewolves, Little Red Riding Hood, observations about sexual awakening and fairy tales in general. It also boasts a superb cast which includes Angela Lansbury, David Warner and a terrific young actress Sarah Patterson as the protagonist Rosaleen (who doesn't appear to have gone on to do much else).
There
are moments of abstract "artiness" that border on pretentious, and Chris Tucker's wolf transformation effects -- while impressively complex -- are gratuitous and a bit schlocky considering this is an attempt to be more of a "serious" film.
However the screenplay by Angela Carter and Jordan (based on Carter's short story) makes perceptive and revealing observations about young girls and their transition from childhood to adulthood, and it is in this area where the
The Company of Wolves most succeeds. Rosaleen's curiosity (and fear) of sex, and the discovery of her power to charm and seduce (and the danger of being seduced herself) form the core of the story, all of which is presented in the guise of an alluringly nostalgic fairy tale, with beautiful sets designed by Anton Furst.
George Fenton's score is still one of his best, by turns terrifying and lushly romantic, and arguably the most beautiful horror score ever written. The ending of the film is very abstract and open to interpretation, but looks amazing in any case. I don't care for most horror films, but I do like this one a great deal. Though somewhat imperfect,
The Company of Wolves does possess depth, artistry, is gorgeous to behold, and is ultimately a very rewarding film.
