Let me just start off by saying this is my favourite film of last year. I rant and rave about this film to anyone who is willing to listen. I even managed to convince my partner to watch it and she thoroughly enjoyed it too.
As people may know by now, Let The Right One In is a "vampire" film which has been recently remade by Hollywood (Let Me In). Anyone wishing to see Let Me In, I urge you to start with this little gem, (even if you are not going to see the remake) I recommend you to go and rent/buy/steal/beg/borrow or by whatever means you can. It's a refreshing and rewarding experience.
The title refers to the Morrissey song "Let The Right One Slip In" and to the element of vampire folklore (for those of you not in the know, never invite a vampire into your home!) but what stands this film apart is that it doesn't play out like your stereotypical vampire film. Its a film about kids that happen to feature vampires (whereas Let Me In is a film about vampire that happen to feature kids....).
Let The Right One In is based on an international best seller and has been translated into numerous languages. It has also been nominated for and won loads of independent film awards. Its just a pity not enough people will see it just because they have to read subtitles. I am dreading anyone going to see the remake and not recognising this brilliant original film.
The film is set in 1980s Sweden where we follow a boy named Oskar (Kara Hedebrant) who recently has had new neighbours move into his block of apartments. The new arrivals are a "twelve" year old girl Eli (Lina Leandersson) and her "guardian" Hakan (Per Ragnar). The film makes no bones to hide the fact that Eli is a vampire, we see windows being boarded up and in the first few minutes Hakan goes out to syphon blood out of an unsuspecting victim.
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| Eli (Lina Leandersson) |
The pace is quite meticulous. It slowly builds up to an inevitable ending but it doesn't mean that there isn't anything going on in between. The story unfolds to show us a blossoming friendship that develops between the Oskar and Eli. Their initial meeting outside their apartment block shows us how coy and lonely they both really are. Oskar is being bullied at school and at night he often fantasizes about exacting revenge on his tormentors. Eli catches him whilst he is stabbing a tree. She tells him abruptly that they can't be friends and he in reply tells her who said I want to be friends and from there on in they end meeting with one another every night and they begin to bond.
When Oskar gets a whipping from the bullies no one figures out what has really happened but Eli. He builds up a trust in her and Eli advises him to hit back and hit back he does. Oskar finally feels happy that he has found a friend that he can trust and makes him feel confident. But as we go on, bodies start to pile up and Oskar begins to realise that Eli isn't a normal girl, their friendship is put to the test when the locals suspect Oskars' new neighbours.
What gives this film its strength are the performances of both leads. The white setting of the snow gives the film a bright and innocence to it and the soundtrack is beautifully subtle and haunting. The CGI is used effectively and seamlessly. Its the story about loneliness and friendship that sets this film apart from being your average vampire flick. Yes, there are scenes of vampirism and sudden acts of violence but it isn't out and out gore. There are tender moments within the film and you learn to care about Oskar and Eli. A friendship that overcomes differences and obstacles. Watch, enjoy and recommend to others...
20/20
An 80's comedy horror about a couple of college students Keith (Chris Makepeace) and AJ (Richard Rusler) looking at getting into a fraternity to make use of their accommodation. The only condition for them getting in is that they have to get a stripper to their party. With no car, they make a deal with the Duncan (Gedde Watanabe) who is the only guy on campus to take them to find a stripper.
