14 April 2010

Ally's Review: Let the Right One In

When we first started Horror Club, Clarky began by bringing 3 choices in a row that were absolutely inspired: A Tale of Two Sisters, The Orphanage and Let the Right One In. Some say he’s been living off the glory of those selections ever since, but it’s still the best run of picks anyone has produced. I hadn’t seen any of them and I thought they were all excellent. But Let the Right One In was my favourite. It remains one of my favourite films at Horror Club, and I think it should listed among the best films of the last decade. It’s always great when you go into a film with no expectations, or hype, and just watch it. I didn’t know anything about it, other than that it was a Swedish Vampire movie. I was blown away by it.

It’s the tale of a friendship that develops between two outsiders: an awkward young loner called Oskar, and a forthright girl called Eli, who happens to be a vampire (I say girl... she’s a bit older than Oskar). Eli moves into the same apartment block as Oskar and the film tells the story of their tentative friendship that blossoms over time. The story is sensitively told and the two leads are amazing. The performance of the young boy, in particular, is outstanding.





Although the film is shocking and violent in parts it’s a really touching film, made believable by the performances and superb direction. It’s a beautiful looking film: the chill of Swedish winter is shot to perfection, and it really does look like the early 1980s (the sets and wardrobe are bang on). It’s not a particularly scary movie, although it has its moments.

It’s a pretty flawless piece of filmmaking, which makes you wonder why anyone felt it was necessary to remake it? Do people hate subtitles that much? I guess it’s to make it more accessible to a wider (English speaking) audience, but I’d never see Let Me In on principle. Even that name change... ugh...

The original (and best) is a really astonishing film. I don’t think you have to be a horror fan to love it, in much the same way as The Orphanage. If Clarky never produces another good selection (and there have been moments of doubt... especially when he brings films like Hatchet to the table) he can feast off this choice for several more years to come.

A must-see for any film fan.

2 comments:

  1. Heartbreaking film. The final swimming pool scene is gorgeous and the scene on the train is so heartwarming. Excellent film.

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  2. It's an amazing movie! No one can change that, even the stupid remake. I really don't see why Hollywood just has to change everything it sees. This fact, I suppose, suggests how seriously amazing LTROI to them, such that they find it profitable to remake it.

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