Let The Right One In

[ashrik]

Låt den rätte komma in

"Let the Right One In" is, at its heart, a sweet coming-of-age story which is so unique and different that it simply defies categorization. In this Swedish film, adapted from John Ajvide Lindqvist's bestselling book, director Tomas Alfredson dares to mix pleasure and pain in a way that is both horrifying and tender.

"Let the Right One In" has a storyline which, although it reveals some secrets early on, is best left as a surprise. So this will necessarily be one of those rare reviews in which the less said about the plot the better. 12-year-olds Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) and Eli (Lina Leandersson) meet one snowy afternoon at a jungle gym in the courtyard of Oskar's housing complex outside Stockholm. Their young, tender attraction for each other is apparent right from the start and we think we know where their relationship is headed. But there is a deep dark secret to be discovered here and when it's revealed the audience is both repulsed and curiously fascinated at the same time, in a similar fashion as when yellow crime scene tape brings us closer rather than warning us away.

The supporting cast is completely beholden to the narrative as it revolves around the adorable young couple, whose performances rival the best I've ever seen for actors of that age. The innocence and vulnerability of Hedebrant's Oskar is simply a tour-de-force and he admirably carries the film on his little shoulders. Leandersson matches him scene by scene, line by line, and the result literally gave me chills.

Production values are stellar, with all technical aspects -- lighting, original music by Johan Soderqvist, and Hoyte Van Hoytema's cinematography -- combining in perfect synchronization to produce a Hitchockian tale that somehow brings love and light into what could have been the darkest drama imaginable.

"Let the Right One In" was the overwhelming choice for Best Narrative Feature after its North American Premiere here at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. It is a truly well-deserved honor. Tomas Alfredson has crafted a brilliant work of art that left me shaking my head with wonder.

-imdb.com

I just watched this movie and absolutely loved the haunted and desperate way in which it presented its story. Has anyone else seen it?

[Velorath]

Haven't seen it yet (it's opening up in a very limited release around here on the 7th, and I'd have to go to San Francisco to watch it), but Apple has a trailer and film clip up.

[Tarami]

It's Swedish and I like vampires, so I should.

But then again, it's a Swedish flick about vampires.

[ashrik]

I rarely ever get to see foreign films, and rarer yet that I expect to enjoy them.

I can't wait to join the ranks of the elite filmocrati who get to collectively thumb their noses at this movie when it gets its eventual American remake (probably featuring Magical British Children™)

[schild]

Roommate made me watch the trailer. Did not get overly excited.

[ahoythematey]

Finally sat down and watched this, and I was really impressed.  The atmosphere was great, with the sound in particular standing out.  The two kids did a really good job.

[Tale]

Yeah it was great. But I felt a bit let down in the end because:

[Numtini]

I strongly suggest reading the book. It fills in an awful lot that didn't get into the film.

[ashrik]

Yeah it was great. But I felt a bit let down in the end because:

Maybe that, in it's entirety was a repeat for her. I hadn't thought of it like that.

[Tale]

Maybe that, in it's entirety was a repeat for her. I hadn't thought of it like that.

[ahoythematey]

[Tale]

Oh well, I'll have to go with that then.

[Numtini]

Film spoiler


Book spoiler (not really much that isn't in the movie)

[gryeyes]

[Mrbloodworth]

Didn't we do this already? Could have sworn I wrote about this already.

[Tale]

It was in the Twilight thread.

I'm told by the movie reviewer at work (TV network) that if you want the best in teenage vampire romance, you should watch Let The Right One In.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1139797/

oooooo, torrent time.

Ok, Excellent movie... Some really great scenes. I also recommend watching it with subtitles, not over dub..those kids are great at delivering lines...even if i don't know what they are saying.. Over duns made it seem cheesy because it removed ALL of the emotions in the dialog.

 

[Gobbeldygook]

Ok, Excellent movie... Some really great scenes. I also recommend watching it with subtitles, not over dub..those kids are great at delivering lines...even if i don't know what they are saying.. Over duns made it seem cheesy because it removed ALL of the emotions in the dialog.

 

The little girl's voice is dubbed even in the original Swedish.

[apocrypha]

Also you need to make sure you don't watch the US release because they fucked up the subtitles for some reason.

There is a re-release of the US version with the correct subtitles, listed as "Theatrical" on the back cover of the DVD/BD.

[Engels]

Yeah, I remember watching this and thinking that something was terribly off in some of the dialogue. Jeeze.

[Tale]

Also you need to make sure you don't watch the US release because they fucked up the subtitles for some reason.

Follows on from renaming the book "Let Me In" for American audiences, because "Let The Right One In" was considered too complicated.

[Kitsune]

Anyhow, some people were pontificating on the whole 'just part of the cycle' theory, and I didn't buy into it.  I don't doubt that Eli goes through caretakers, but her affection for Oskar was seen in scenes where he was nowhere nearby to see it, so it was not just a ploy to dupe him into helping her.  Besides which, he was hardly in a position to go out serial killing to fetch blood for her.  Might be willing to, but definitely not able to for years.

Also, old dude was clearly not a competent killer.  His performance was not that of someone who'd spent his whole life collecting blood.

[Tale]

[Fargull]

The book is worth getting if you liked the movie.  Same story, but much greater detail.  I actually think the movie has more horror as I enjoy the not seen, vrs the seen.  The book takes a leap into full gorrific depths.

Hakim is highlighted much more in the book and to much greater effect.