Plot: Two Americans, David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) are backpacking in England. One night, they're attacked by a werewolf. This results in Jack's death and David wakes up in the hospital. David is informed by Jack's ghost that he (David) will transform into a werewolf during the next full moon.
Review: This is a horror classic.
The plot isn't really anything that new. A man attacked by a werewolf, falls in love. It's been done to death. The only aspects of the plot that I liked are the following: the setting of London and Jack as a ghost. I found the setting of London was a unique reflection of David's character after the attack. What is happening to him is very foreign and he has no idea what to do. Kind of like what a tourist feels like going into another country, another continent. I also liked the ghost aspect of Jack. He provided some good comedy and the decaying of his corpse is very disturbing to watch. But I feel that the ghost of the werewolf's victim warning the new werewolf about his fate was very creepy to me.
What really makes this film stand out for me is the makeup. The makeup for Jack's corpse throughout the film, when he first comes on to when he continues to appear and is slowly decomposing is very gory and disturbing. It adds a great element. The werewolf makeup is amazingly done. The transformation is so scary looking. What I like about this transformation especially is that it looks painful. It's not like in other movies where it looks a little painful. Here, you see the bones stretching, hair growing and the sound effects in that scene will make you cringe. It's one of the most memorable scenes I've seen in a horror film. The film won Best Makeup at the Oscars for a reason.
Another element of the film I like is the suspense. They do it very well without it being cheesy. The leading up to the attack is very well done. The scene in the subway where the werewolf attacks people. It's one of those scenes that you think something will happen then it doesn't. And when something does happen, it takes you completely by surprise. The subway scene is another favorite of mine just because it's so unique and actually leaves you scared and wanting more.
This has been labeled a comedy-horror movie. The horror is very well done. And what surprises me is that the comedy is just as well done. We have great, funny lines that will just make you laugh. It's not a comedy that will make you laugh out loud crying, but will make you laugh nonetheless. It's actually very clever, which I found a little surprising. Because it's rare to find a comedy that's actually funny and clever at the same time. Like the scene where Jack tells David he's going to turn into a werewolf is very creepy, but also has good comedy elements, like when David covers his ears saying he doesn't want to hear it. And the scene where David wakes up naked in the zoo cage and steals a kid's balloons and the kid tells his mom "A naked American man stole my balloons". It works, even when you think it wouldn't.
I'll just make a brief point on the acting. The main cast is fairly small and I think every one of them was exceptional in their respective roles. David Naughton is very good as David and I think he has a decent comedic timing. Griffin Dunne is also fine as Jack. I think he has better comedic timing than Naughton does, but that's just my opinion. Jenny Agutter plays Nurse Alex, a nurse who cares for David, whom he eventually moves in with and falls in love with. And I think she does a good job and also had chemistry with David Naughton.
An American Werewolf in London is a frightening and funny film that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.
Rating: 4/5
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