Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In, 2008)
As many of you may be aware, there has been an American version released titled Let Me In released just last Friday, 1 October, 2010. This one, Låt den rätte komma in, is the original Swedish film released just 2 years ago. While I have yet to watch Let Me In, which I do plan on seeing, I suspect that it is much flashier, filled with more scares and CGI effects, and has probably lost the wonderful storyline that Låt den rätte komma in has going for it. Granted, I'm basing that opinion solely on the previews I've seen, but I will update once I've seen it. On to the review at hand...
This film is essentially about a relationship between Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) and Eli (Lina Leandersson). Oskar is a 12 year old boy who is bullied regularly after school by the same 3 kids. The ringleader of these bullies is Conny (Patrik Rydmark) calls Oskar a piggy and forces the others to hit him with a switch. Indeed, these other two kids do not appear to really want to make fun of him, and they especially do not appear to enjoy hitting him. Enter Eli, who moves in next door with an older man (we never really learn what relationship the two have other than the fact that he helps her by getting her fresh blood). Look, at this point, you should be aware, if you haven't seen previews for the new film or seen taglines for this film, it's a vampire story.
No, this is not the bully. This is Oskar, and Eli is behind him. They make a cute inter...er...species? couple.
This is not only a vampire story, however, it is also a love story and one about acceptance. Eli and Oskar live next door to each other, and their first couple of meetings are strained, at best. She declares that she cannot be his friend, while he wonders back who thinks he wants to be her friend. Meanwhile, her companion, Håkan played by Per Ragner, has already made an attempt to get her blood. He is now off on his second attempt to kill someone and bring her blood. Unfortunately, he cannot escape without getting caught. (The first time, he had to flee quickly and without the blood, leaving Eli to have to kill someone herself. This, unfortunately, was seen by someone living nearby.) Knowing that if he is caught it is the end for them both, he brings some sort of acid with him. Just as people rush in to save the young man he tried to kill. Hakan pours acid over his face to obscure his identity.
Eli of course hears the news of his arrest and understands that she is on her own (I'm not going to relate the ultimate result for him, I think it's best seen). She and Oskar have also started to develop a relationship, using Morse code to communicate through the wall that separates their rooms and apartments. She has also discovered that he is being bullied and tells him that he needs to fight back. She also tells him that she will help if he needs it. And Oskar does fight back. And the bully totally deserves it, he's a little brat. Later, in an attempt to solidify their solid relationship, Oskar suggests they make a blood oath. Eli cannot handle it and begins to lick the blood that has dropped on the floor before fleeing. This leads her to attacking a woman, friend of the previous kill by Eli, but she is stopped by the woman's friend.
Showing just the eyes is surprisingly effective. Of course, the few drops of blood on her face add to the horror.
Again, I will not reveal the ultimate result for the woman, but I will state that I found the rest of the story related to her quite fascinating. I enjoy when writers and directors play with the vampire mythos. In this one, the mythos is fairly true to the age old mythos while still adding a special tweak. I'll let you discover for yourself what I mean by that! I will say that Oskar saves Eli from being killed by someone who is out for revenge for what happened to the woman and the the previous man. It is at this point that Eli tells Oskar that she must leave.
Yeah, I can't even joke anymore. Their relationship truly was very sweet.
Oskar sadly watches Eli leave. It is a very sad moment. But the movie is not over. Oskar receives a call from a friend of Conny who asks if he's coming to swim practice. In the background, we see Conny and his older brother, plus another bully friend, having a good laugh. It is clear that Oskar is going to be bullied again. Indeed, the older brother threatens Oskar and proceeds with the plan. I'm going to leave it at that.
One slight SPOILER: Yes, Eli does come back to help him. SPOILER END.
I honestly loved this movie. As I said, it's fairly tragic and bittersweet. But I will say that I absolutely adored the ending. I really think it's worth the time to watch this. Go get it!
Go forth in fear!
No comments:
Post a Comment