Der Vampir auf der Couch
Director: David Rühm
Writer: David Rühm
Cast: Tobias Moretti, Jeanette Hain, Cornelia Ivancan, Dominic Oley, Karl Fischer, Erni Mangold
Seen on: 04.01.2015 [cornholio suggested I add that info to my posts, let me know what you think.]

Plot:
Viktor (Dominic Oley) likes to paint his girlfriend Lucy (Cornelia Ivancan), only that he never manages to paint her as she looks, instead he paints a vamped up version of her, which she is not too happy about. Viktor also illustrates the dream journals of Dr Freud (Karl Fischer) and as a thanks for that income, he leaves a painting of Lucy with Freud. Freud’s newest patient, Count Geza of Közsnöm (Tobias Moretti) has issues with his wife Elsa (Jeanette Hain) – they have been married for an eternity, quite literally since they’re both vampires -, and Geza just isn’t in love anymore. He is generally very tired of his life. When he sees the painting of Lucy, though, he recognizes his long lost love and finds new energy.

Therapy for a Vampire was an entertaining film and once that manages to be a vampire film full of allusions to Bram Stoker but still be very Austrian. It might not be the best film ever made, but I did enjoy it.

[SPOILERS]

I will tell you my favorite joke from the film because it’s just so good. When Geza comes to Freud for the first time, he tells him, “I need your help, doctor. I’m just not very prone to self-reflection.” And with that joke the film had won me completely over, it’s just perfect. But of course, it’s neither the only joke nor the film’s only selling point.

I especially loved Lucy’s character development. Caught between one guy who wants her to be his long lost love and another guy who doesn’t even manage to paint her the way she actually looks, she tells them both to screw themselves, she wants to be a vampire and fly. And she does like the painter, but he has to accept her for what and who she is if he wants to be with her. Wonderful.

Tobias Moretti was great. He is pretty much the perfect choice for the role and he obviously had fun playing it. But I also enjoyed Jeanette Hain and Erni Mangold was pretty hilarious in her role as the nosy neighbor, even if it’s not a revolutionary role.

Sometimes the film is a bit silly, especially when it comes to Freud himself. But I didn’t mind that much, instead I could lean back and enjoy the ride. Particularly sinceit is rare to get a light-hearted Austrian comedy (Austrian comedies usually are filmed to the brim with black humor and a certain underlying sadness. Also excellent stuff, but very different). I had fun.

Summarizing: If you like vampires and Austrians, it’s the film for you.