Let The Right One In

[williamjm]

I went to see Let The Right One In at the cinema today. I can confidently say it was the best Swedish-language vampire film I've ever seen... ;)

Actually, I think it is the first Swedish film I've seen.

I did think it was a very good film, there was some very good directing and acting in it and visually it was very striking (I would say it was beautiful at times, if it wasn't so bleak). The juxtaposition of the everyday brutality of the school bullies and the dullness of Oskar's with the sudden brutal violence that Eli is capable of were done very well. Without using many (obvious) special effects it manages to make the vampire seem much more otherworldy and supernatural than just about any effects-heavy Hollywood vampire film (the attack of the cats and the portrayal of what happens when a vampire isn't invited in were particularly memorable). We'll probably be able to judge the contrast between the two movie-making styles even more, since apparently the director of Cloverfield is intending a Hollywood remake which I can't see working at all, have there being any good Hollywood remakes of foreign horror films?

Comments

[fenryng.livejournal.com]

Good choice of music.

The thing that blew my mind with this movie is the fact that I got sucked into their relationship so well that I completely ended up forgetting that she was a hundreds of years old killer who was basically doing what she had done countless times before and finding a new daytime keeper.

I was sitting and staring, dwelling on that, for some time.

I still am trying to decide if it is a "fair" relationship or not.

[williamjm.livejournal.com]

The music was completely accidental, coming from random-play on my mp3 player, but it does seem quite appropriate for some of the themes in the movie.

There is an interesting ambiguity in the relationship between Eli and Oskar, in that we don't really know if she is being sincere when she says she befriends Oskar, or if she is just recruiting a new helper. It can also be a bit of both, if she is recruiting a new helper, is she consciously lying to Oskar, or is she instinctively and unconsciously manipulating him?

It's also not uncommon in vampire mythologies for the vampire to have the ability to compel others to do their bidding, I wondered if that was true in the LtROI universe and maybe Oskar joining her wasn't as willing as it appeared.

[fenryng.livejournal.com]

While hypnotizing and mind control are indeed part of some vampire canon, I never got that impression at all, personally.

What I wish I could determine was if she still actually had feelings at all, or if she was just so damn good at dissembling due to centuries of practice.

Although the fact that she does end up helping him is beyond dispute. So then the question becomes, what happens if, despite all that she does to gain his trust, he still doesn't want to stay "friends" with her?

[silanah.livejournal.com]

The thing that blew my mind with this movie is the fact that I got sucked into their relationship so well that I completely ended up forgetting that she was a hundreds of years old killer who was basically doing what she had done countless times before and finding a new daytime keeper.


This. Also, I'm hoping that I wasn't alone in feeling a certain amount of pity for her..

N

[williamjm.livejournal.com]

I think anyone who gets turned into a vampire deserves plenty of pity. Particularly, since the 'life' of a vampire seems to be a fairly miserable existence in the LtRoI universe.

[isis-newton.livejournal.com]

Argh. You're making me really jealous with your repeated visits to the pictures to see films that I want to see. I have a self-imposed ban on until my academic year is finished.

[alanashinean.livejournal.com]

I really want to see that film!

[silanah.livejournal.com]

I loved 'Let the Right One In'. And I wholeheartedly agree with you that it managed to be disturbing and viscious without intrusive CGI.

I'm trying not to let the knowledge of the Hollywood remake enter my world, otherwise I may break down and cry!

N

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

have there being any good Hollywood remakes of foreign horror films?

Offhand, can't think of a single example.