Movie:Let the Right One In

[Genie47]

Been wanting to watch it after all the hype on Rotten Tomatoes with a 99%+ rating.

 

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lat_den_ratte_komma_in/

 

But I didn't catch it when it was on the old Picturehouse now called Film Garde.

 

So I bought the book first......HOLY! Pedophilia, rape, bullying, murder, blood feasting, homosexual love and of course vampirism.

 

Wow! You sure this makes for a good cinema viewing? Cramming all that angst and unrequited pedophillic love, murder, loneliness and mayhem into a movie?!

 

Never fear, the R3 DVD was released recently. So I bought it and watched. Worth every damn hype on Rotten Tomatoes.

 

It is different from the book. More of a focus on how two kids aged 12 fell in love and in need with each other. Both outcasts. Both with a need.

 

The stark snow and the lack of conversation echoes throughout the movie. Definitely up there and in fact better than An Interview with a Vampire. In fact Lina Leandersson can fight with Kirsten Dunst as the supreme child vampire.

 

This is not your wham bam suck your blood ma'am kind of vampire movie (Underworld). It is slow and builds up well. I would not say the movie is scary. Actually it is downright creepy. How the hell do you relate to a vampire whose sole desire is to drain all the hemoglobin out of you? Actually you can. When you drive, you are honked, blatantly tail-gated and have this inner desire to fight back or better.....KILL and SUCK THE LIVING BLOOD OUT OF THE MOFO. That is the vampire in us. Eli (the 12 yo girl vampire) is the embodiment of such desire. She does it out of a need. That scream in you cursing and swearing at the MOFO for cuttng into your lane could potentially be Eli.

 

Buy it or rent it (highly unlikely). Certainly is a damn good vampire movie. Way better than the teen fluff called Twilight.

 

Trailer here.

 

 

Now also in BluRay so if you all like, head to Amazon but be warned the subtitles are altered to suit a more conservative viewer.

 

I also suggest buying the book. Damn dark. In fact a lot more violent in the book. The movie is also suggestive of Eli's androgyny. A very brief "if you miss it that's it" scene. An issue that is addressed in the book.

[Ender]

Also caught the movie a couple of weeks ago.... Maybe was expecting the gory part and sutff, but none of it

 

And my thought is it's the boy who is devoted to Eli. While Eli has chose and is turning him to be the replacement for her already too old guardian who is showing signs of age via his clumsy attempt to gather 'food'. the boy was probably chosen because the word he said about how he wanted to kill his bullies, i.e in his heart he is a killer and perfect candidate to be her guardian.

 

I think when the boy grow old and clumsy, she'll dump him once she found another young and suitable replacment.

[Friendstar]

thanks for the recommendation =)

[Genie47]

Oskar is no Hakan.

 

I read the book first. First let me warn everyone that beyond this, spoilers abound so....I use whitewash for my text.

 

Hakan is actually a pedophile. Eli met Hakan when he was 45yo. So he was not young at 12yo like Oskar. Hakan is also some really sick dude. In the book he spies on boys showeringin gyms and masturbating to their exposed a--es. He even pays young boys to do blowjobs for him. He didn't end up like in the movie. It was much worse and also with more violent consequences.

 

Also, when Eli comes to Oskar's apartment, she needed an invitation. Of course this started the game but Eli walked in endangering her own life and the same time putting her life in Oskar's hands. That says a lot.

 

Another thing is that "pubic shot". Eli is indeed a boy. Explains why she keeps asking "what if I'm not a girl". In the book it is explained. Some noble vampire castrated Eli. The pubic shot shows no balls and no c--t either. It is a shriveled scar.

 

So that first bloody kiss they had was a boy with a boy! MINDBLOWING! I bet anyone who has not read the book knew that! Our cinemas allowed pre-teen homo love! Anyway that's not the point. The point is that the love they have is love nonetheless regardless of sex. BTW, Lina's voice was dubbed over to make it more boyish actually. The voice you hear in the movie is different from her real voice if you can hear it from those Youtube interviews.

 

The acceptance of Eli by Oskar is much more difficult than in the movie. At first he realizes she's a vampire. OK that is fine. Then he realizes she's a dude! The word mentioned in the book when he recalled they slept together (though not in a sexual way) and called himself a "f***ing FAG!"

 

So that ending when Oskar's on that train and Eli in that suitcase. Bright sunshine, Eli taps in Morse "KISS" and he returns in kind. It just leaves you to wonder. Oskar is not Hakan but he cares for Eli. Will he kill for her, obviously yes. BTW that encounter with Lacke in Eli's apartment isn't as simple in the movie. Oskar didn't distract Lacke so that Eli can do the dirty work. He took part in taking Lacke out.

 

Another interpretation is that Oskar actually "died". The scene on the train is his perfect "heaven" with Eli by his side albeit in a suitcase. The book is quite open ended as well.

 

We are simply left to think out the ending depending on where you are coming from. Romantists will want Eli make Oskar into a vampire. Realists would want Oskar grow up and maturity and then part ways from Eli since she doesn't really grow up. Fatalists will want them to die like Romeo and Juliet and the list goes on. The ending by itself is indeed intelligent. We are left with their innocence and love.

 

Look under Youtube. The BluRay is not here locally but got a friend who has it. There is this deleted scene where Oskar "overpowers" Eli and slaps her. Then he is remorseful. This was in the book when he discovered her secret life as a vampre and the made up stories of her life made him mad. Total innocence in that scene. She tells him to "go away" like a real kid that was wronged. Then Oskar makes her laugh by doing a vampire snarl. She returns and they both end up in laughter. I dunno why Alfredson deleted that scene. It would have been really good. Hope he puts out a director's cut.

 

Above all this, it is also gory because she is vampire with no manners. She is literally an animal. Suck and clean up. Simply inhuman when she feeds. All that snarling and squishing.

[Genie47]

Do check out the OST. Lots of "samples" floating around on Youtube. Haunting and good.

[Genie47]

OK viewed again. This time subtitles off to see the brilliant acting by Lina and Hare. Also to see subtle injection by the director Alfredson. There is this scene that cements my view that the finale is not supposed to be left to our imaginary devices of how Oskar and Eli come to be.

 

Again I use white wash.

 

The finale starts in the locker room. A mirror tells it all. The reflection shows the door opening but you don't see anyone. Eli has made her entrance. Show she indeed comes to rescue Oskar.

 

Also from the book, the bullies are intent on killing Oskar nut just ruffle his hair. So this makes it all the more dire.

 

So Oskar is indeed the new companion of Eli. A more perfect companion compared to the wicked pedophile Hakan. The ending is sweet but at the same time tragic. He ages but she/he does not but both are made perfectly for each other.

 

[Genie47]

OK second viewing just finished. This time with wife to really understand the scenes and acting. She likes it and we had small discussion. Again white wash.

 

When Eli arrives at their new place, she is clearly the master. Just walks into the building leaving Hakan to carry the stuff.

 

When Hakan fails, she scolded him. Then later before Hakan goes for his botched attempt that has him captured, she suggested he not go. He answered "then what am I good for?" To this Eli touched his cheek. Eli is indeed manipulating him. Later at the hospital, she feeds on him and then let him plummet. The look she has on Hakan is one of contempt. Not only that, the scene is devoid of any devotion. Like someone getting rid of a used condom.

 

With Oskar, Eli is a little different. She was offered food but knowing fully what it will do to her, she tries for the sake of Oskar. She made herself vulnerable for him. Obviously feelings for Oskar.

 

However, most of us remember this other scene. Eli telling Oskar to strike back. Obviously she knows he is bullied so we think that this is motive for this sort of encouragement. To build up a new "food gatherer".

 

My wife thinks so too but I differed. Oskar has nothing to give Eli except maybe as lunch. A 12yo going out to slaughter people, drain them and bring home the blood? Eli is smarter than this. She would have manipulated a real adult for this. Kids can't rent apartments for vampires to hide.

 

The second scene that speaks volumes is the invitation to Oskar's apartment scene. She came in knowing well what it will do to her. Something I have mentioned above. However before that, there is some more. At Eli's apartment, she attempted to give him money. An obvious act to gain acceptance. As is the revelation of her wealth (buying a nuclear plant with a Faberge egg). Oskar leaves in a huff trying to accept what she is.

 

Then that sleeping scene when Oskar asks Eli to go steady. My wife giggled at this innocence but it proved quite subtle. When asked if it will be different (as in sexually), Oskar said no. This shows that Oskar is looking for companionship. When asked "what if I'm not a girl" *literally*, Oskar replied "since it won't be different, it doesn't matter" words to that effect. Eli is taken aback by this and then accepts going steady. We see beautiful tenderness displayed. She plays the finger game on his back (cut out scene shows they did earlier). She did this because it mattered to Oskar. Vulnerability folks. That is what a relationship is all about.

 

Finally that scene when she asks him to "be like me a little". She is bearing her all to him. Oskar has trouble. He thinks he is manipulated (just like Hakan). Eli surrenders to Oskar with this quote. Understand who she is. That she needs to eat other people to live. Be me and understand my nature. She is sort of sorry for her nature and can't help herself about it.

 

This is why after killing Lacke. This is the second time Oskar saved Eli. The uninvited entrance to his apartment is the first time. She says she needs to go. She does not want Oskar to be her "food gatherer". She leaves. The scenes after are completely heartwrenching.

 

The pool scene shows something different. Hakan was devoured in his time of need. He is nothing but a tool. However, Eli comes to use the same monstrosity to rescue Oskar.

 

For those who didn't read the book, that bloody kiss is the same vampire kiss we see in Underworld. Eli bares all her memories to Oskar. Total surrender that is not covered in the movie. The last part of this kiss flashback reveals to Oskar how Eli sees Oskar through her eyes. Strong, handsome. Stuff he can't see himself as.

[Genie47]

Wife and I have gone nuts over this movie!

 

We watched it again. Like studying literature. Jiak bao bo eng watch this movie again.

 

White wash again.

 

My wife spots how the director uses glass as a barrier and then air. In fact anything that allows you to see someone but still don't get a connection.

 

First shot of Oskar at his window. We see his reflection but nothing outside. The darkness. He is all alone. He only has himself. He touches the glass and the moisture from him has misted it. It disappears. He is but a mist. Nothing more.

 

Damn sad. His dad (not gay) but is a drunk. His mom is caring but overbearing. He is nothing but an inconvenience. After seeing this I am racked with guilt. I do treat my children this way. An inconvenience.

 

His mom talks to him, his dad talks to him but there is no connection. There is air separating them only but no connection. Oskar tries to connect to them but they don't connect to him.

 

Next glass scene we see is when Oskar asks Eli if she is a vampire. She closes the door. They see each other through the glass. Touch each other through the glass. Something physical separated them. But they still connected. She opens the door. *She Lets the Right One In*

 

Then the other "glass" scene is when Eli wants to be invited in. There is air separating them. He beckons her in and she thinks. She makes a decision to enter. But he has not let her enter. After the hemorraging, he reaches out to her to let her in because she had let him in. My wife sobbed uncontrollably. Now *He Lets the Right One In*.

 

After Eli leaves (killing Lacke and their first kiss). Oskar looks out of the window to see her leave. The morning scene is one that made me cry. He looks awful. Eyes puffy, nose runny. Obviously crying all night. Again like the first glass scene which is night, now it is day. He touches the glass again. This time we see from outside in. His nose and face forms a mist and disappears. He is all alone. Father don't connect, mother don't connect, now Eli is gone. He is cut off. Also explains why he doesn't fight back at the pool scene. He thinks he is better off dead.

 

This is not a horror movie. This is a date movie. Must watch with GF or spouse. Of course must be the like literature or good acting/directing girl or guy.

[Lukie102]

The killings are quite bloody thou.

[Genie47]

Its bloody implied. All happens off screen or shadows.

 

We know Eli doesn't like it when she drinks from someone. After drinking from Jocke, she sobs at what she has done and then snaps Jocke's head.

 

I think is as bloody as it can get. The other feasts are not as graphic as the killing of Jocke.

 

The book is has more graphic details. Not from Eli's action but someone else.

[Genie47]

Forgot to tell you all. I got my copy from Gramaphone at Holland V. Just in case you all can't find it.

 

If you have downloaded it. Oh well.....

[Ender]

You really gone gaga over the show..

 

 

[Genie47]

There's a lot of people going gaga over it.

 

After going through it so many times I notice how Alfredson used FX so subtly.

 

Eli's eyes are not human.

 

Firstly, we know the iris are digitally enlarged but there are two scenes that show her pupils are elliptical like cat's. The scene where she snuck into his bed (surprise!) and the basement scene before Oskar turns on the lights.