Adapted from the novel of the same name and directed by Tomas Alfredson Let the Right One In is a bittersweet rumination on adolescence and loyalty. But let's not forget that it also includes a vampire and some grisly deaths. One of the most fascinating aspects surrounding the release of this film is the way in which much of the publicity has avoided mentioning that it's a horror film. Sure, it's Swedish, subtitled and showing in arthouse cinemas. And yes it is restrained and almost gentle in its portrayal of the growing bond between Oskar, a sensitive boy targeted by bullies at school and Eli, a girl who is twelve years old ("more or less" as she puts it) and who only seems to get about at night time. However, it plays with the tropes of vampire fiction to memorable effect. There are several effective set pieces including a feline attack on one of Eli's victims, a botched murder attempt in a gym and a climax that is both gory and satisfying.
Kare Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson are both wonderful in the main roles and are ably supported by the rest of the cast.
In writing the screenplay from his own novel, John Ajvide Lindqvist has surrendered one or two subplots but kept the heart and intelligence of the piece intact. Those who have read the book will be pleased at its faithful transition to the screen and those that aren't are in for a treat. It's totally satisfying as both a character piece and a genre exercise and for that we should be grateful. God help us all though if Hollywood ever gets its greasy mitts on this particular property.
1 comments:
Hollywood has already signed onto this. The remake is due out next year. For those who havent yet, make sure you read the novel first, it's a real treat.
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