Let the Right One In is the best vampire film in a long time (Magnolia Pictures)
Halloween may be behind us but I still have horror on my mind. My friend alerted me to Let the Right One In (opening November 7 at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas), a Swedish vampire film. Right there it peaked my interest since as far as I could remember I had never seen a vampire film from Sweden. So while most people are eagerly awaiting the Hollywood adaptation of the bestselling tween vamp romance Twilight, Let the Right One In slides in early and sets the bar exceptionally high. This may even end up on my top ten for 2008. You can listen to my Film Chat by clicking above.
Hungry Hank
from San Diego, CA
November 09, 2008 at 01:07 AM
This really is a fantastic film that doesn't follow the generic steps of vampire films or even coming-of-age films. The atmosphere that Alfredson creates is moving and haunting. This also goes in my top ten of the year so far ... now why couldn't I have had a vampire for a friend when I was 12?
Max
November 15, 2008 at 06:20 PM
It's a beautiful movie and nice pacing for the story.
I just wish the plot is a bit more believable. The 'father' is way too bumbling an assistant and the end pool scene was way too fantastical.
However, the coming of age tale is well done and I think is way better than the upcoming "Twiligh" or as I've heard some people called it, "My So-called Vampire Life" which, come to think of it, is a more apt subtitle for this movie, a sequel perhaps.
Fredrik
November 24, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Good review!
The title can also mean that Oskar chose to the let right one into his heart. A lot of things in the film is up to the viewer to decide. John Ajvide Lindqvist - the author - is a big Morrissey fan, and the book was inspired by the song 'Let the right one slip in'.
'The father' HÃ¥kan is pictured as clumsy, probably because Alfredson wanted to get it across that he's not really a killer in his heart, but he kills because he feels he has no other choice. I recommend the book (when/if translated) if you want more fleshed out characters, you'll learn that the HÃ¥kan character is quite controversial and perhaps the saddest and most tragic of them all.
Beth Accomando from San Diego
November 24, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Thanks for the info on the book. I will definitely try to check it out. And as I suspected, this was far superior to Twilight.
Thanks for the comments.
David
December 15, 2008 at 03:17 AM
I haven't read the book yet, but my take is:
The 'father', HÃ¥kan, is pictured as clumsy not because he wasn't an efficient killer, for he clearly is (the well used kit, the familiar way he cleans, prepares, and uses it), but because he is growing old and his usefullness has come to an end. His devotion to Eli is unquestionable, giving unto her until the very end.
'Let The Right One In' could apply in equal measure to Eli and Oskar. Which one of them actually chose the other? Was HÃ¥kan a lonely 12 year old boy just like Oskar?
Onnajy
January 30, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Okay, so I just finished watching this movie. I heard great things about the ending and I must say that I'm pretty disappointed. Everyone told me that it was great ending but I'd have to disagree. ***If you haven't seen the movie I suggest you stop reading*** Eli had a caretaker who poured acid on his face; now keep in mind, that Eli is over 200 years old and never aging. Eli also tries to justify Oskar's killing of other people for her benefit by saying that he's doing it for her, and she doesn't need to bare the burden since she requires blood to live so neither does he. With those twos thing I came to the conclusion Eli used her caretaker like she is using Oskar now to take the blood of other people while she sleeps. It wouldn't be surprising in fact, if Eli and the caretaker had a previous intimate relationship before she met Oskar (She probably approached him when he was 12 also) . Due to the caretakers old age she turned her eyes to Oskar. Remember the night the caretaker got caught? He said "What else am I good for?" and she slowly embraced his cheek with her hand.
Well overall, good review. From my eyes it wasn't a happy ending but did seem realistic. The train ending was very well put together, they didn't translate what they said to each other but the audience is left to wonder that themselves. Lets face it though, we all believed it was "I *mushy stuff* you."
Beth Accomando from San Diego
January 30, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Well I don't think that the ending of the film is what made it great. I think the acting by the young kids was amazing, it was exquisitely shot, and it gave a fresh twist to the vampire genre. I think your point about Eli getting rid of one aging caretaker and replacing him with a new one only makes the story more poignant -- she will constantly have to replace those she loves and depends on. She is both a monster and a young girl and the interplay between those two sides of her personality make the film more interesting.
I do feel like films such as this are best seen with no expectations or knowledge of what's contained. Sometimes small, effective films are hurt by too much build up.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
