THERE'S A METHOD TO WILLEM DAFOE'S MADNESS.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

Where have all the great Method actors gone? Where we once had Brando, James Dean and Montgomery Clift putting themselves through the wringer for their art, we now must find content in less romantic, more mundane notions of acting. For instance, Mel Gibson waxed a leg for ``What Women Want.'' Tom Hanks turned himself into Grizzly Adams for ``Cast Away.'' Cameron Diaz perfected her booty-shaking skills for ``Charlie's Angels.''

You can just hear Brando mumbling that this isn't what Stanislavsky had in mind.

Of course, the Method comes with its drawbacks, too, as bitingly illustrated in ``Shadow of the Vampire,'' which just happens to be one of the year's funniest, spookiest and most audaciously conceived movies. In this reimagining of the silent vampire classic ``Nosferatu,'' we see what happens when a director goes a little too far in his quest for filmmaking immortality and casts the ultimate Method man in the title role of the blood-sucking count.

You don't have to be familiar with ``Nosferatu'' to love this movie, although watching ``Shadow of the Vampire'' will undoubtedly inspire many people to check out the 1922 classic. You don't even have to like vampires. This is a smart, sophisticated, hilarious horror-comedy that college students could enjoy alongside film buffs. And it contains a mind-bending performance from Willem Dafoe, an actor who, it should be noted, doesn't believe in the Method.

``Nosferatu'' was made by German director F.W. Murnau, one of the silent era's great filmmakers. Murnau cast an unknown actor, Max Schreck, to play the vampire. Little is known about Schreck, and he virtually disappeared after making the movie, leaving behind one of cinema's most haunting acting turns.

``Shadow'' asks us to imagine that Murnau (John Malkovich, delivering another fine turn) hired Schreck (played by Dafoe), not because he liked the unknown's acting talents, but because Schreck was actually a vampire. Murnau informs the cast and crew that Schreck is so dedicated to his role that he will always appear in full costume and makeup. Likewise, Schreck will only work at night.

The other actors marvel at Schreck's ``authentic'' look and commitment to his art. But it becomes quickly clear the Murnau has bitten off more than he can chew with Schreck, who begins to take an inordinate amount of interest in his colleagues' jugular veins. All Murnau can hope to do is contain his leading man's appetite, pleading with him to at least prey on unessential members of the production.

``I don't think you'll understand, and I'm loathe to admit it myself, but the writer is necessary,'' Murnau instructs at one point.

That line is an example of the gleeful fun that screenwriter Steven Katz has with his premise. ``Shadow of the Vampire'' slyly sends up silent movies and vampire mythology while, simultaneously, paying affectionate tribute to both. Director E. Elias Merhige handles the movie's shifting tones with ease while cinematographer Lou Bouge succeeds in creating a dark Gothic world that adds to the pseudo-realistic atmosphere.

Dafoe recently won the supporting actor award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and he richly deserved the honor. He's unrecognizable in his bald cap, pointy ears and 9-inch fingernails, but his talent sure shines through. Dafoe takes Schreck's immortal performance and evocatively extends it off-screen and manages to be menacing and deadpan funny, often at the same time.

It's a bloody good turn, one you'll undoubtedly be hearing more about as the Oscars approach. And it's but one reason to see this flamboyantly fun flick.

``SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE''

(Rated R: some sexuality, drug content, violence and language)

The stars: Willem Dafoe, John Malkovich, Eddie Izzard.

Behind the scenes: Directed by E. Elias Merhige. Screenplay by Steven Katz. Released by Lions Gate Films.

Running time: One hour, 29 minutes.

Playing: Laemmle's Playhouse 7 in Pasadena; Laemmle's Royal in West Los Angeles, Vista Theater in Hollywood.

Our rating: Three and one half stars

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Photo:

John Malkovich, left, plays a German director who casts Willem Dafoe's character in a film in ``Shadow of the Vampire.''