I wouldn't go so far as to say this movie is nothing without Nicolas Cage, but I would say his performance makes the movie. The internet makes fun of Cage's overacting and unhinged personality, but in this movie I think it really works. Cage plays a guy who's already a bit off the wall, and a vampire chick bites him which leads to uncontrollable bouts of crazier and crazier behavior. The way she chameleons herself, the way Cage responds, it works with the metaphors it implies such as cycles of abuse and hollow relationships. Cage's increasing desperation unironically works emotionally, and you feel sorry for the guy. His performance carries the whole movie. I don't think this film would be fondly remembered if there was a different actor in the leading role, since everything else about the presentation is pretty forgettable. While nothing about it is outright bad, Nick Cage is the only truly standout part to me.
Review of Vampire's Kiss
