Let the right one in

[rebness]

Wow. So I finally got around to watching Let the Right One In and it was amazing, as I thought it would be. What I didn't expect was to be mesmerised by the performances of two child actors. Lina Leandersson surpasses Kirsten Dunst's Claudia as the creepiest vampire child. She just manages to portray the character as so much older.

I also found myself imagining Eli as Armand. The character has that same creepy aged-yet-innocent look and feel and Eli's savage innocence comes closer to the character than either Antonio Banderas or Matthew 'two brief scenes' Newton did.

I wasn't viewing Let the Right One In as an Anne Rice stan but I couldn't help drawing comparisons. Anyway, Eli was an awesome character.

I've seen the trailer for the American remake and I'm not really impressed. It looks like a good adaptation (if rather pointless) and has reasonably good reviews, but the actress potraying Eli Abby doesn't seem to get the character down so well. I also wonder if Eli's secret (uh, not the vampire one) is addressed in the American film. I hope so.

I really wanted to link to the clip where Eli discusses 'going steady' with Oskar because Leandersson's performance there is fantastic but I couldn't find a clip. So have the scene where Eli prompts him to fight back, instead:

Excellent film.

Comments

[mumsisdaughter]

This is a marvellous film, isn't it? I like the quietness of it, long scenes in the snow without any background music. I bet the US remake uses music where it's not needed. I agree about Eli/Armand although he's a few years older, Lina did a perfect job as did the boy who played Oskar. Remarkable performances from two young people.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I think that's what really struck me as eerie - the silence in the background whenever they were talking in the snow. Music just wasn't needed in those scenes.

I really loved it. Glad I finally got around to seeing it!

[kyuuketsukirui.livejournal.com]

From what I've heard, no, the remake has ditched that aspect altogether, which doesn't really surprise me.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Then that really pisses me off. What, it's okay to have the character killing people but not that because it's just too different, huh? Bloody hell.

[londonesque.livejournal.com]

I love that film, I watched it last year at midnight on Christmas Day,whih made it even more perfect somehow.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

That is pretty much the perfect time to watch it!

I am being very geeky and hoping it snows this year - I'll watch it again then. >:D

[londonesque.livejournal.com]

It snowed here just before Christmas, the first time pretty much ever in my lifetime, and it really does add to the atmosphere!

[palelaura.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of dreading the remake. The original was all about the atmosphere...remakes tend to replace atmosphere with gore, sex and sudden loud noises designed to make you jump.

I should probably reserve judgement but I hate when they remake perfectly good films. It seems so unnecessary.

Have you read the book?

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I agree. What annoyed me about the very trailer for the American film was all the action and the rock soundtrack. It doesn't need a soundtrack; the menacing silence of the snow is all that's needed. I also think it didn't need a remake, especially so soon.

I haven't read the book, no. It's definitely next on my Amazon to-buy list. Have you read it?

[palelaura.livejournal.com]

Well I just checked out the trailer and I'm less than enthusiastic. You're completely right, the silence was a big part of what made it work. I guess Hollywood thinks they need to constantly abuse us with noise and flashy effects to hold our attention. Depressing.

Yes! I read it last year sometime. I remember loving it and yet at the same time being quite disturbed by it. I do recommend it though, there was a surprising amount that didn't make the movie.