Let the Right One In (B+ or 3/4 stars)
Twilight gets some stiff competition (as a vampire film) from Sweden's 'Let the Right One In', directed by Tomas Alfredson. Oskar, a lonely 12 yr. old, seeks revenge against the very kids who bully him at school. Circumstantially, he strikes up a friendship with a 'girl' named Eli. Oskar's a loner, & so is she. He's peculiar, & so is she. Eli can't stand the sun, can't eat food, nor enter a room without being asked first. She is, after all, a vampire. Will Oskar still look at Eli the same way? Can she give him the strength to fight back against the bullies? And above all, since Eli needs blood to survive, will several local murders be linked to her? 'LTROI' is a moody, creepy & intriguing horror/romance flick. It's difficult to love, but WELL worth a viewing.
Blackeberg, Sweden, 1982: pale & blond, inward & anxious, Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) keeps to himself most of the time (oddly enough, collecting news clippings of various local murders). Living only with his mom, Oskar ventures out late at night to his apartment complex's playground. It is there where he 1st meets Eli (Lina Leandersson), a dark-haired, serious girl who, along with her 'dad', moved into the apartment next to Oskar. Eli only comes out at night; and barefooted (seemingly unaffected by the frigid temperatures). Upon asking her age, Eli responds, '12, more or less'. Although she's odd, so is he, so they hit-it-off quite well; eventually 'going steady' ... though neither really understands the term. They just like being around each other.
Oskar puts two & two together (about Eli) after hearing accounts of the recent disappearances/murders (one man is tied upside down from a tree with his slit throat dripping blood into a bucket. Another is found completely frozen in a lake. And a woman is savagely bitten in the neck). But Oskar is not deterred by Eli's bloodsucking activities. She has instilled in him the confidence to get physically stronger & fight back against his aggressors; if he were to show no fear, perhaps they would not bully him anymore. All the while, Oskar becomes increasingly understanding of Eli's unfortunate situation. Doomed to always be 12 yrs. old (physically), Eli realizes that Oskar will grow older. Can their love endure the test of time? Will Oskar be able to fend off his foes? Can Eli assist in any way possible?
This film tells a beautiful, haunting story of quiet friendship & empathy. They are 2 misfits who understand each other's plights. Their subtle romance (completely clean, as they are only 12) is handled very well. And yet, romance aside, this is actually a fairly bloody, gory movie. But the use of blood & gore is both thoughtful & gorgeously photographed. In fact, the most violent death scene could be one of the most unique & brilliant uses of cinematography I've seen all year (look for it towards the end). Acting-wise, the 2 child leads are excellent. Also solid is the actor who plays Eli's 'dad'; a man who helps Eli continue to exist (fetching her blood).
Though the film is only 107 minutes long, the pacing is off, at times. The dialogue is potent, yet spare. And a subplot involving the worried apartment complex residents could have been trimmed somewhat. 'LTROI' is stark & cold, but it also has a big, red, beating heart buried deep within. The characters are mysterious: Oskar & Eli need each other in ways only they can understand. It's a touching movie about childhood alienation, & being 'found' before it's too late. It starts slow, but grows on you. And though it's a vampire movie, it's more realistic than most other fare being released nowadays. I really enjoyed 'Let the Right One In'.
Blackeberg, Sweden, 1982: pale & blond, inward & anxious, Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) keeps to himself most of the time (oddly enough, collecting news clippings of various local murders). Living only with his mom, Oskar ventures out late at night to his apartment complex's playground. It is there where he 1st meets Eli (Lina Leandersson), a dark-haired, serious girl who, along with her 'dad', moved into the apartment next to Oskar. Eli only comes out at night; and barefooted (seemingly unaffected by the frigid temperatures). Upon asking her age, Eli responds, '12, more or less'. Although she's odd, so is he, so they hit-it-off quite well; eventually 'going steady' ... though neither really understands the term. They just like being around each other.
Oskar puts two & two together (about Eli) after hearing accounts of the recent disappearances/murders (one man is tied upside down from a tree with his slit throat dripping blood into a bucket. Another is found completely frozen in a lake. And a woman is savagely bitten in the neck). But Oskar is not deterred by Eli's bloodsucking activities. She has instilled in him the confidence to get physically stronger & fight back against his aggressors; if he were to show no fear, perhaps they would not bully him anymore. All the while, Oskar becomes increasingly understanding of Eli's unfortunate situation. Doomed to always be 12 yrs. old (physically), Eli realizes that Oskar will grow older. Can their love endure the test of time? Will Oskar be able to fend off his foes? Can Eli assist in any way possible?
This film tells a beautiful, haunting story of quiet friendship & empathy. They are 2 misfits who understand each other's plights. Their subtle romance (completely clean, as they are only 12) is handled very well. And yet, romance aside, this is actually a fairly bloody, gory movie. But the use of blood & gore is both thoughtful & gorgeously photographed. In fact, the most violent death scene could be one of the most unique & brilliant uses of cinematography I've seen all year (look for it towards the end). Acting-wise, the 2 child leads are excellent. Also solid is the actor who plays Eli's 'dad'; a man who helps Eli continue to exist (fetching her blood).
Though the film is only 107 minutes long, the pacing is off, at times. The dialogue is potent, yet spare. And a subplot involving the worried apartment complex residents could have been trimmed somewhat. 'LTROI' is stark & cold, but it also has a big, red, beating heart buried deep within. The characters are mysterious: Oskar & Eli need each other in ways only they can understand. It's a touching movie about childhood alienation, & being 'found' before it's too late. It starts slow, but grows on you. And though it's a vampire movie, it's more realistic than most other fare being released nowadays. I really enjoyed 'Let the Right One In'.