|
Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In) (2008)
This is not a horror movie. It is not a vampire movie. At least, neither of those are the defining words I'd use to describe the essence of the film. It's about the mess of adolescence. It's an against-the-odds love story. It's about surviving in this world, doing what must be done. All classic, timeless templates, only in this instance told against a unique backdrop. See, then maybe it's a vampire film, or a horror film.
It is slow, sad, dark, and cold, punctuated by both harshness and happiness, the dynamics of a haunting melody. It is blurry and distant, until Eli and Oskar, the two main characters, come together. Their interactions are close and intimate.
The performances of the two main kids are remarkable, fully consumed by not only their roles, but by the world created in the film. Especially Lina Leandersson, who plays Eli (the vampire), truly looks far older than her years.
The Dalai Lama once talked about every person being the center of his or her respective universe, and we get that in Oskar and Eli's world. From their prospective, together they create one universe, trying to omit the extraneous, not caring to question each other beyond traditional childish things. And that's really what it comes down to with this film.
Any complaints I may have had were rendered negligible by the end. I mean that in two ways: by the end of the film, I no longer cared about those parts; and by the way the film ended, I no longer cared about those parts. (Possible SPOILER) The finale is truly the most virtuosic part about the film, we finally get to see Oskar and Eli trim all the excess from their universe.
All in all, it's a truly wonderful film; one of the very best of 2008.
__________________
|