Product Details

• Actors: Jude Law, Elina Löwensohn, Timothy Spall, Jack Davenport, Colin Salmon
• Directors: Po-Chih Leong
• Writers: Paul Hoffman
• Producers: Carolyn Choa, David Lascelles, Dorothy Berwin, Laura Julian, Nigel Stafford-Clark
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Walt Disney Video
• VHS Release Date: August 21, 2001
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005K3OL
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #397,168 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Jude Law makes the term emotional vampire literal in this somber, restrained tale of a modern-day bloodsucker in London. As the improbably named medical researcher Steven Grlscz (pronounced "grilsh"), he's a cool charmer who woos lonely women and feeds off them at the height of their emotional intensity. He begins his seduction of Elina Löwensohn (who played a vampire herself in Nadja) just as relentless police detective Timothy Spall starts an investigation of him for the murder of his former lover Kerry Fox. It's the start of an unusual battle of wits.

Equal parts AIDS metaphor, ancient myth with a modern twist, and shrewd mind game, Immortality (originally released as The Wisdom of Crocodiles) is an art-movie interpretation of the vampire myth, too chic and bloodless to be compelling but curiously fascinating in its way. Leong Po-chih directs with clockwork precision and emotional restraint, elegantly creating a handsome but impersonal world where Grlscz's painful need for love is an extreme symptom of modern life. Law plays his part as a fascinating paradox, hiding his feelings and schemes behind a mask of impenetrable ennui that periodically bursts in a gush of sorrow and disappears just as fast, while Löwensohn is almost as hard to read with her angular face and unusual accent. The meticulous detail and cool images make this more a dispassionate mind game than a horror movie, where the ideas never quite come to life but become a curious enigma. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dark Look Into Human Nature, October 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Immortality (DVD)

When I first started to watch the movie I was a little confused about some of the things Steven (Jude Law) would do, but it all became clear as the movie progressed.You will really need to watch all the little things he does and read the things he writes (even if you have to pause the movie) to get the most out of this character and the movie. What I really enjoyed about this movie was the look into human nature. What makes a person good or evil and what makes us do the things we do? I really liked all the little excentricities that everyone had. We all do some strange things, especialy in private. Watch for the scenes with Steven and the police inspector the dialog is some of the best and the relationship that develops between them is the best thing about the movie. This policeman becomes almost like a father figure and Steven increasingly finds himself revealing personal things to this man. I began to enjoy the characters so much that I almost forgot that this was a vampire movie and not a doomed love story. This is a dark movie about a tortured soul so be prepared for that. If your a Law fan you will not be disappointed. I really enjoyed this movie and the cast is excellent. This movie does contain violence, language and brief nudity.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED it!, October 29, 2001

By 

Ian Nicholas (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Immortality (DVD)

I wasn't sure what to expect after reading the other reviews of this film on AMAZON.COM, but I was willing to take the chance on a Jude Law film.

I would classify this as a drama/suspense movie, definitely not a "vampire movie." The concept is an interesting take on the whole vampire thing, but those expecting a horror movie, or lots of blood and guts, probably would be disappointed with this film. I didn't think it was a slow-moving film, as some of the earlier reviews had indicated -- I was completely engrossed from the get-go. Jude Law can even make his SILENCE interesting!

If you like smaller, well-made movies with great acting, this is definitely a movie you'll like. Give it a shot.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique Vampire, September 15, 2004

By 

MJ "theologian" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Immortality (DVD)

I found the talent of Jude Law late to the game, and had to go back and see much of his earlier work far removed from its date of release. "Immortality," or "Wisdom of Crocodiles" as it came to me, is one of the best examples of Law's ability as an actor. Of all of his older movies, this would be the one to buy.

Granted, I'm a sucker for an original horror movie - none of that blood and guts for me! I want depth, unique-ness, and a captivating dark tale. This filled the bill on all accounts. Law expertly plays a vampire, attractive but repulsive. It is believable because of this contradiction. Anyone as attractive as Law's character has to have their downfall. And slowly, the viewer sees the pain he lives with.

Highly recommended!