Let The Right One In
Apr 06, 2009 | No Comments | @andrewmarcec
Let The Right One In is a Swedish film by Tomas Alfredson, based on John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel of the same title. Let me just say, this film is one to actually get excited to watch. I know that I watch many films that are so incredibly bad that you can’t believe that I would waste my time on such drivel. However, I see it as that I watch these films, so that you don’t have to. My main goal while watching these films is to find a diamond in the rough…well here is just one example.
The film follows Oskar, an odd twelve year old boy who comes from a broken family and has violent thoughts of taking revenge on the kids that pick on him. One night in front of his apartment complex he meets Eli, an odd girl of the same age who lives next door to him. Their relationship blooms through simple things that children find monumental, i.e. Eli solving Oskar’s Rubicks Cube, and Oskar teaching Eli Morse Code for constant communication through the shared wall in their apartments. As the film progresses Oskar and Eli form and incredibly close bond, and she even reveals her secret to him.
This film is absolutely amazing in every facet. I tried to write a very breif summation without giving away anything, but I fear it fell short. I think any description will though. Set in Sweden, the warmth of the characters is so incredibly deeply contrasted by the cold setting. This film is not glamourous, not does it mean to be. It shows the gritty underbelly of what is, not what is supposed to be. Though the film’s progress can be slow at times, it takes those times to further deepen the relationship between Eli and Oskar. This film has mastered how to tell a good story, and it isn’t through flashy effects or high budgets. It’s through simple actions that are worth waiting for.
Put this on your Netflix queue now, or go out and buy it. You will not regret this choice in a film.
A Side Note:
This film has been slated to be remade in 2010. WE NEED TO STOP THIS ATROCITY! The films director, Tomas Alfredson, is incredibly upset over this decision, as am I. The money hungry Hollywood will RUIN the remake of this film. America will cut the parts that are controversial (just watch the recutting of “Leon: The Professional”) and then sensualize and glamorize the parts that are not (effectivly creating “Twilight 30: Can You Make A Robot Dance”). This film, retold here in the states will be transformed from a somber, depressing, real film, into the “action adventure of the year”.
Why can Americans not just leave things as they are? I worked at a video store for several years, I’ve heard the excuses they make as to why they will not watch foreign films.
Excuse 1:
“If I wanted to read something, I would read a book.”
Answer 1:
“This film is based on a novel, enjoy reading!”
Excuse 2:
“Those subtitles move to quick for me, I can’t read them fast enough.”
Answer 2:
“There is a button on your DVD remote. It looks like two Twix bars (Americans are all fat and only understand food references). It’s crazy if you push that button it “pauses” the film, meaning the picture AND the words are frozen on your screen for you to read.
Excuse 3:
“I don’t like watching it in English cause the mouths and the words don’t match up. Why can’t people just make movies in American?”
Answer 3:
“First off, we speak English you douchebag, second dubbing should never even be an option on DVD.”
There, now there are no more excuses for you to not watching this film/read this book. We need to protest/boycott the remake of this film just like we did of the American remake of “Spaced”. Do NOT let Hollywood ruin a perfect film!
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