Martin (1977)

I'll explain my absence later in the next review but I was inspired to write about this one particular movie. In preparation for the upcoming Vampire Chronicles review, I would like to discuss the underrated George A. Romero film, Martin.
Just like the undertones of Anne Rice's Vampire novels, it delves into the nihilistic and almost human side of the vampire lore. However, in the film Martin, it takes a more realistic approach. Yeah, it's one of those movies. It's much more on the psychological side of things where you question if the events of the film are real or not, but it's all left up to interpretation.

The story is about Martin, a socially awkward teen who happens to be a homicidal serial killer targeting women for their blood. He comes to live with his paranoid cousin Tateh Cuda, who believes him to be this ancient vampire and is intent on destroying him.

Cuda seems to have an old school approach to religion and it's indicated, he too, might have a mental illness.

His exasperated granddaughter Christine (played by George A. Romero's Wife) tries to debunk his claims but Cuda is very stubborn in his beliefs.

In a pivotal scene, George A. Romero makes a cameo as a priest. He comes off this laid-back, chill type of guy and even laughs at Cuda's zealous delusions. Even though he is told that exorcisms are unorthodox, Cuda still attempts to exorcise Martin but to no avail.

Meanwhile, it shows that Martin has a difficult time coping with his depression, which drives him to hunt for blood. He often daydreams in a black and white romanticized world and is clearly losing his grip on reality. As a way to escape boredom, he makes frequent phone calls to a radio talk show where refers to himself as the "the count."

During his run as a grocery delivery boy, he spots a woman at the store and decides to follow her all the way home. He even pretends to be a deaf, homeless boy in order to scope out her house. He now knows the woman has a husband who is planning to go on a business trip. But the real kicker is once he breaks inside, he catches the woman in bed with another man! This sort of screws up Martin's plan, which becomes one of the most suspenseful scenes in the movie. It was intense! But Martin somehow is able to sedate the man, rending him unconscious and easily kills him. After that, he goes back to where he started and goes after the woman, leaving her in a dazed state.

Martin soon begins an affair with a dissatisfied housewife Abbie. I found their relationship rather touching if not sad. It's sort of like they're the same people from different worlds to which it's impossible for Martin to have any true bond with anyone. It's one of the most interesting parts of the movie that ends in tragedy.
Now that he's in a relationship with Abbie, Martin begins to lose the urge to target other women and doesn't crave as much blood.

This all happens when Christine is at her breaking point, fed up with her grandfather's meddling in her life, prompting to leave off with her emotionally available boyfriend played by a young Tom Savini.
So this leaves Martin alone with Cuda, who suspicions of him grow stronger.
Martin decides to get one last hit of blood where he targets two homeless men but after the deed is done, he's caught in the crossfire in between a police stakeout where he miraculously escapes. Unfortunately, once he arrives at Abbie's house, she is found dead in a bathtub, having committed suicide.
Martin begins to reflect, making one last phone call to the radio talk show.

As he is sound asleep, Martin is suddenly awakened by Cuda, who blames him for Abbie's death, eventually staking him in the heart in a gory fashion. And...that's how the movie ends. Just like that.
The film has an overall gritty feel to it. It's not glamorous nor sexy.

The film's setting is mainly working-middle class where it showcases Martin walking aimlessly and listlessly around the desolate streets of Pittsburgh, encapsulating the film's depressing nature.

What's interesting is that the film came around the time when Interview with the Vampire was first published, oddly sharing the same similarities to the 1994 film such as when Martin discusses his daily life to the radio DJ. Martin's backstory is vague though the mystery surrounding him is what makes the film work.

Even though it is set in the real world, the film still has that gothic horror sense to it. Especially in the black and white daydreams of Maritn, where it's played out like a typical old school horror movie. 

The gore effects by master effects artist Tom Savini looks unbelievably gory for its time. Especially when it shows Martin slitting the arms of his victims. It looks painful to watch.

And One last thing, I thought the acting was incredibly good for a low budget movie. It all felt...natural, as if they are real people, going through real issues where none of it feels far-fetched. 

When I first watched this, I thought I was in for an exploitative, grindhouse sort of movie but... I was pleasantly surprised.

It's a deep, poetic film that makes you think about the complexities of human beings where you can separate the soul of the monster with a very haunting music score that sets the mood for what the film unfolds.

It's a tragic story about a young man struggling to cope with the world around him, going into a path of mayhem to quench his thirst which ultimately leads him to his end. 

It shows that George A. Romero can do more than just zombie films. He can write and direct stories that bring on a fresh take of the modern-day monster.

My Last Word: A Must See.