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

[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.