[Movie Review] LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
I have been hearing a lot of positive buzz online for Let The Right One In, a Swedish film that may be a contender
for the Best Foreign Film Oscar. I finally got to see this film last week after eagerly keeping watch on my indie theater’s film schedule, and while I can usually bust out a review a day or two after seeing a flick, I needed to give this one some time to sink in before I could even get my thoughts together to write a review. There were so many thoughts going through my head as I walked to my car that I had to sit at the wheel for a second and just catch my breath before I could drive back to my dorm. I walked out of the theater pretty stunned, and I didn’t quite know what to think about what I had just seen…except that I loved whatever it was. This is one twisted, violent, yet wonderful love story that I hope you all have a chance to see, be it in a theater or on DVD.
Right off the bat, I have to send a salute to whoever is responsible for the casting of the two child actors in this film, because they are phenomenal. A movie like this lives and dies on its leads. If these kids had no chemistry, the movie would fail miserably. While I usually find child actors to either be too cutesy (Breslin) or too mature (Fanning) to be fully believable, these two children give what could very well be the best performances by children I have ever seen in any film. That is no exaggeration. They are truly that good. There is not a false moment from these children, or from anyone in this film, and that is crucial if the plot is going to work. The film follows Oskar (Kare Hedebrandt), a Swedish boy who is being bullied in school and feels misunderstood by his divorced parents. This kid is a time bomb waiting to go off. As I watched him take a switchblade and stab a tree repeatedly as a means of venting frustration, I had a flashback to those Columbine kids who flipped out and mowed down their classmates after constant bullying. He has no friends and appears to be heading toward a dark path, until he is approached by a young girl named Eli (Lina Leandersson) whom he quickly becomes friends (and a little more) with. They spend time together, she encourages him to stand up for himself, and he develops a deep attachment to her. This sounds like any kiddie movie, but then the twist hits: this isn’t just any little girl that Oskar wants to “go steady” with. She’s a vampire.
And I’m not talking a cutesy Disneyfied vampire, either. She brutally kills people in this film, in self-defense, in defense of her new friend, and simply for food. She is a dangerous creature, but the genius of this film is that she is not treated like a monstrous creature, but like a normal child who just so happens to have a hankering for human blood. They don’t scrimp on the violence at all, as this film earns its R-rating solely through violence and a flash of nudity, but Let The Right One In is more about the growing relationship between Eli and Oskar than Eli’s condition. It’s such a fascinating relationship thanks to the subtle acting of the two children, who do not oversell any moment or mug for the camera. Lina especially is a real find, a beautiful young girl who is aloof enough to pull off the supernatural but warm enough to attract the attention of Oskar. Kare plays Oskar as a boy smart enough to know that something is amiss with his friend, yet foolhardy enough to remain by his friend’s side, despite the danger she puts him in. I’m especially fond of the scene when he asks her point blank, “Are you a vampire?” and she responds, “Yes.” He doesn’t panic or run away, like most kids would. He stays, listens to her explanation, and still insists upon being her friend. There was something so beautiful and touching in this moment, that he has formed such a bond with this young girl (or is so desperate for nay form of friendship) that he will literally risk his life to be with her.
There is another relationship in this film that plays a small role upon a single viewing of the film, yet after reflecting upon the film and discussing it with friends and others online, this relationship took on a whole new weight with me, and increased my appreciation of the film. This is filled with spoilers, so I’m going to invisotext it. Highlight to read, or skip ahead: There is an older man who lives with Eli and murders people and drains their blood to feed her. The film never specifies what his relationship with Eli is, but after discussions, it has been made clear to me that this man is a tragic look into Oskar’s future should he remain with Eli, as the film’s ending implies. By Eli’s own admission, she has been 12 “for a long time. Like Oskar, the man probably met and fell for Eli as a young child, went away with her, and has been hunting for Eli ever since, evidenced by his precise methods. Now, he is growing old and cannot hunt for Eli as well as he used to. It could be argued that Eli is seeking Oskar to be a replacement for her old lover, which adds yet another layer onto this already emotionally-packed film. There is a moment where the old man asks Eli not to see Oskar one night, and if this explanation is to be believed, that line goes from a paternal concern to a tragic plea from a man fearful that the love of his life is moving on. Eli may be infatuated with Oskar now that he is young and virile, but someday soon, he will be thrown away by Eli. It’s a tragic commentary on love. As wondrous as it is, it is fleeting, and nothing is more terrifying than loving someone with all of your heart and having them cast you aside. The ending of this film transforms for me with this information, becoming slightly unsettling rather than hopeful and uplifting. She has purposely targeted Oskar to be her new friend since she saw him stabbing the tree. She is not interested in him until she sees his potential for violence and sadism. The title of the film applies to Eli as much as it does to Oskar. She is the “right one” for him as she defends him and loves him, and he is the “right one” for her as he can provide what she needs. Brilliant.
The cinematography in this film is absolutely gorgeous, taking full advantage of the serene snow-covered Swedish geography and contrasting it with the carnage that Eli unleashes. There is a shot near the end, taking place underwater, that could very well be my favorite shot of the year. It is a spectacular shot that, within the span of a minute, made me cringe, laugh, gasp, and cheer, and I’m not kidding. It really is a fantastic shot, and I”m curious as to how they pulled it off. The movie looks spectacular, and I hope and pray that the DVD transfer does it justice (though I may have to break down and get a Blu-Ray by the time the DVD is released). The music is appropriately creepy when needed while not overwhelming the film. The supporting cast of adults know their place in this film and do not attempt to take the film away from the children, although a subplot involving one woman’s contact with Eli is responsible for the worst CG cats this side of Catwoman. I also have to note that the film is brilliant in how it sticks to vampire mythology. I always wondered why a vamp has to have permission to enter someone’s house, and what would happen if they entered without permission. The film addresses this and other vampire traits to great effect, and I truly loved that the film treats this supernatural material as real and important.
I really wish that this film was making the money that Twatlight is raking in right now, because this is a far superior film dealing with the same material. I don’t think that I’ve truly done this film any bit of justice in this review, but I loved this movie. It’s a contender for my favorite film of the year right now. For once, a film that actually exceeds the good buzz. It’s a poignant film showcasing a relationship that rivals Wall-E and Eve (there’s some great scenes of the two communicating through a wall via Morse Code) , with some sweet vamp kills thrown in. If you don’t get this released near you, seek it out on DVD. I promise you it will be worth it.
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6 Responses to “[Movie Review] LET THE RIGHT ONE IN”
of course it ruled..its a vamp movie
i have updated my fantasy
instead of having an individual gwyneth in a peach pool i have updated it to a pile of lesbian naked clones of gwyneth paltrow vampires in a pool of sliced peach syrup and sliced peaches in a sauna with blood bags hanging from the walls from blood ive donated over my life (so far 5 times now) and they would take breaks to shower and drink from them
and reading the review ive found out that people from sweeden really have no ****ing clue what a vampire is. neither does stephanie meyer for that maner, but since i love them, ill watch this with great enthusiasm and watch new moon and the sequels. im just pissed that no vampire movies take place in transylvania
btw it took me till the end of the article to find out that the “highlight to read” thing wasnt a video that couldnt load but actual WORDS you had to highlight to read…uhh…sorry =/
Oh Hazzy…
Oooooooooooooooooh, very excited about this one!
I hope this “invisiotext” thing has not replaced me as your new obsession! lol
Hehehe, I just figure that invisotexting is the best way to avoid spoiling things for folks who wish to avoid such things. I hate when reviews spoil the whole film for me.
OH I JUST SAW THIS MOVIE!
Is there any way to give…like…six popcorns?
The rating of five popcorns seems extremely unfair.
I must admit I almost cried when she stood in front of him and you could see her being old.
I dont know why. (im such s ****ing pussy when it comes to emotional movies)
Jesus i didnt know it would be that good…my step dad was like “Dude you havent seen this movie? here- watch it…”
I was like “**** it..i guess ill watch it”
Im watching it again tomorrow morning.
By the way, they casted the actors for the American remake…Chloe whats her name (Shes the awesome little girl from the upcoming movie “Kick-Ass”) will play the Eli
:::Raises hand:::
I would like to bring in my Twilight expertise in this:
Referring to Kristina’s “Highlight to read” section; why cant Eli bite the **** out of Oskar and then they can both drink blood. He still has to kill people, but he will eventually turn old…. but if hes a vampire, he can still hunt for her and he can live forever with her.
I mean, im 100% sure tht when the kid grows senses, hell ask her “Hey…turn me into a vampire? that way this shit isnt as creepy as it already is?”
It just seems like the perfect solution.
Please dont ridicule me for the solution i thought of, thats what i think the logical thing is Lol
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