Let the Right One In

Unfortunately it’s hard not to bring up those atrocious Twilight movies when talking about any kind of love story involving vampires. But considering the fanbase and how much publicity they get, I think the comparison is necessary. You call Twilight crap and have these soccer moms come back with “aw but it’s such a sweet love story.” Bitch please! You haven’t seen a vampire love story until you’ve seen Let The Right One In.

It goes to show that you don’t have to change the vamp rules to create an effective romance by turning them into emo glitterbugs who don’t even want to kill people. This film conveys these themes of tragedy and endearment in a way that Twilight could only dream of. This is a couple that we can actually care for, and hope to see hook up. Plus, cougars have always been more respectable than pedophiles.

But really, these kids complete each other, complimenting their faults and voids. There is something evil building inside Oskar, leading him to take out his aggression by stabbing trees while talking shit to them. Eli is there to help him take this anger out on those bullies, and ultimately becomes the physical manifestation of Oskar's vengeful spirit.

And maybe I’m just looking too deep into things but I’ve always found a bit of symbolism in the Rubik’s Cube and how it’s utilized in the plot. Oskar knows how the game is played, he has the potential to figure things out for himself, just like his life. And here’s Eli, who is able to follow through and achieve the victory. I don't know, maybe that's a stretch.

Though the vampire aspect is kind of the backdrop to the overall story, it still manages to be one of the best presentations of the vampire lifestyle. It's almost like a visual vampire manual, exploring many of the traditions and rules. Feeding on blood, conversion from a bite, bursting into flames from sunlight. And most importantly, having to be invited in to enter.

This movie has a truly haunting pace, taking its time with the characters and develops delicately. Each and every shot magnificently crafted and rich with meaning. Even making sure that almost every scene contains the color red, representing the blood that young Eli needs to survive. And the cold, snowy setting always creates a perfect atmosphere for a horror movie and helps with the overall eeriness of the film.

It can break the heart just as much as it warms it, especially when you think about the older guy who we see helping Eli get her blood. You can sense some jealousy in him as he sees Eli and Oskar's relationship develop while watching from the distance. He even asks her not to see him anymore, and there seems to be past relationship between the two of them.

You have to wonder, does this puppy love between Eli and Oskar mirror the way Eli and this guy met? Is Oskar destined to the same fate? How many guys has this little cougar been through? How many men has she watched fade away?

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And my favorite scene is definitely the pool scene at the end. It's just done so well with focusing on Oskar while he's underwater. The muffled sounds of the carnage, the kid's legs kicking as he's dragged across the water, and then his head dropping down. You don't have to see it happen to feel the effect of the brutality. And then Oskar is pulled back up and we're given a close That scene alone is an instant classic.
***END SPOILERS***

BOTTOM LINE: I absolutely love this movie. Sweet and somber, graceful but gruesome, enthralling and intelligent. Wonderfully written, impressively performed and beautifully shot. This is one that is not to be missed, and I highly recommend it.