Alright, fellow tapeheads, let's rewind to a time when the horror-comedy section of the video store held some truly strange gems. Slide that slightly worn cassette out of its clamshell case, maybe blow the dust off the top (we all did it!), and pop it into the VCR. Tonight's feature on VHS Heaven? The delightfully odd and undeniably charming My Best Friend Is a Vampire from 1987. Forget the brooding angst and gothic castles; this film asked the burning question: what if becoming a creature of the night was less Bram Stoker and more John Hughes, with a side order of home delivery?
### Not Your Average Teen Trouble
The premise alone feels like something cooked up during a late-night pizza session. Awkward high schooler Jeremy Capello (Robert Sean Leonard, years before Dead Poets Society or House M.D.) just wants to navigate classes, hang with his goofy best pal Ralph (Evan Mirand), and maybe, just maybe, score a date with the lovely Darla (Cheryl Pollak). Standard teen movie stuff, right? Wrong. After a creepy encounter involving a mysterious older woman and some questionable snacks, Jeremy finds himself... changing. Sun sensitivity? Check. Weird cravings? Check. A sudden aversion to garlic bread? Big check. Yep, our boy is joining the ranks of the undead, much to his confusion and Ralph's bewildered fascination.
This isn't your typical blood-soaked vampire transformation. My Best Friend Is a Vampire leans heavily into the comedy, playing the vampiric condition for awkward laughs rather than scares. It’s less The Lost Boys (released the same year, interestingly) and more Teen Wolf with fangs. Remember how genuinely sweet and relatable Robert Sean Leonard was here? He perfectly captures Jeremy's mix of panic and pubescent awkwardness, making his supernatural predicament feel almost like an extreme metaphor for teenage growing pains.
### Mentors, Maniacs, and Milk Cartons
Helping Jeremy navigate his new nocturnal needs is the wonderfully eccentric Modoc, played with delightful weirdness by the great Rene Auberjonois (forever Odo from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to many of us). Modoc isn't some ancient Transylvanian count; he’s more like a vampire life coach, complete with tips on diet (pig's blood delivered discreetly in milk cartons – a brilliant touch!) and assimilation. His scenes provide some of the film's biggest laughs, offering a refreshingly pragmatic take on vampirism.
On the flip side, you've got the perpetually flustered vampire hunters, led by Professor Leopold McCarthy. And who better to bring a touch of weary gravitas to this role than the legendary David Warner (Time Bandits, Tron)? Warner plays McCarthy not as a heroic Van Helsing type, but as a slightly bumbling academic obsessed with proving his theories, adding another layer of comedic absurdity to the proceedings. His presence, alongside Auberjonois, gives the film a bit more character actor heft than your average teen flick.
Retro Fun Fact: This movie wasn't always called My Best Friend Is a Vampire. Its original, perhaps more exploitation-friendly title was I Was a Teenage Vampire. You can almost picture that on a drive-in marquee, can't you? The change likely aimed for a broader, perhaps slightly softer, audience appeal – fitting for its relatively gentle tone.
### A Very 80s Affair
Directed by Jimmy Huston, who surprisingly also gave us the straightforward slasher Final Exam (1981), this film is steeped in mid-80s aesthetics. The fashion, the hairstyles, the soundtrack cues – it’s a time capsule. Filmed primarily around Houston, Texas, it lacks the slick L.A. sheen of some contemporaries, giving it a slightly more grounded, relatable feel, even amidst the vampiric shenanigans.
The screenplay comes from Tab Murphy, who clearly had a knack for blending the fantastical with relatable characters. It's fascinating to note that Murphy later penned screenplays for major Disney animated features like Tarzan (1999) and Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) – quite the journey from teenage vampires to animated adventures!
While it didn't set the box office ablaze upon release, earning a quiet reception, My Best Friend Is a Vampire definitely found its people on VHS and cable. I distinctly remember stumbling across this one on a late-night movie channel, expecting something entirely different based on the title, and being pleasantly surprised by its sweetness and humor. It became one of those comfort watches, a quirky alternative when you weren't in the mood for intense horror or straightforward teen drama. The practical effects are minimal – some glowing eyes, maybe a bit of fog machine action – but that's part of the charm. It relies on character and situation, not expensive visuals, which feels very much of its time.
### Final Thoughts & Rating
My Best Friend Is a Vampire isn't a groundbreaking masterpiece, and some of the humor definitely feels dated now. It lacks the sharp bite of Fright Night or the cool factor of The Lost Boys. But what it has in spades is earnestness, a likeable cast, and a genuinely unique comedic take on vampire lore that was refreshing then and remains oddly endearing now. It treats vampirism less as a curse and more as an awkward lifestyle change, which is pretty funny when you think about it.
Rating: 6.5 / 10
Justification: The score reflects the film's undeniable charm, winning performances (especially from Leonard, Auberjonois, and Warner), and unique comedic premise within the 80s teen genre. It earns points for sheer likeability and nostalgia factor. However, it's held back slightly by its low-budget feel, sometimes uneven pacing, and humor that hasn't all aged perfectly. It's a solid, enjoyable watch, but not quite a top-tier classic of the era.
Final Comment: Forget brooding immortality; this was the vampire movie for kids who worried more about passing algebra than finding eternal darkness. A perfectly charming, slightly goofy relic from the video store shelves that proves even creatures of the night need a good best friend... and maybe a reliable blood delivery service.