MY BEST FRIEND IS A VAMPIRE

US, 1988, 90 minutes, Colour.
Robert Sean Leonard, Rene Auberjonois, Cecilia Peck, David Warner.
Directed by Jimmy Huston.

My Best Friend is a horror film for the teenybopper set. It is the same plot as Once Bitten, with Lauren Hutton. It focuses on high school kids, their preoccupation about sex, the interaction with a vampire and the hero being vampirised. There is also an eccentric professor trying to rid the world of the vampire - played by David Warner. The film is a mixture of teenage jokes about sex and horror as well as a piece of Americana in small towns of the '80s.

Some amusing moments - but definitely geared to the younger audience.

1.Popular conventions of vampire films? Adapted to the small town? The teenage hero? The seductive vampire? The professor? The best friend and the exploits?

2.Small town America, special effects, stunts?

3.Jeremy and his life at home, preoccupation about sex, his outspoken friend, the encounter with the vampire, his being vampirised? His attraction towards Darla? the adventures with her? The pursuit by the professor? The troubles? A happy ending?

4.The vampire, her presence as a cat, encounter with Jeremy, being attacked by the professor? The vampirising of the professor and his going away with the vampire? His awkward assistant and the comedy?

5.The sketch of the heroine, the girls at school.

6.The response of teenage audiences? Adults? Vampire comedy? Less horror? Exploitation touches - and sex? Comic touches?