Let the Right One In

I had been shown this film before several years ago and I remember thinking that it was very quiet for a vampire movie. In fact, it was also a little slow which caused for a few head nodding moments while watching it. However, I'm glad I had to opportunity to watch it again because despite it's slow pacing to a younger me it still left a good impression. This movie directed by Tomas Alfredson was the first to not over glorify a world with vampires in it let alone the vampires themselves. Usually in pop culture films depicting these particular monsters we are confronted with this image of "bad-ass" and aloof characters that we often think as "dark" sexy. They are the things that we cannot have which makes them all the more appealing. To be honest, ever since Anne Rice the word "vampire" has become synonymous with sex on a certain level. This can't be true in this movie because the two main characters are around the age of twelve. So what can a writer do with this since after all the story started out as a book?

Instead of focusing on the adult and almost cliche fetish theme like most vampire films...or monsters films in general if you really thing about it (King Kong for example)...Let the Right One In truly built up a very believable relationship between two beings the was developed upon overcoming obstacles and solving problems together. The obstacles and problems just happen to be revolved around the issue that Eli is some kind of other being or monster. It's not the other way around where the relationship happens BECAUSE the person is a monster. This movie, as gory as it can get, is a breath of fresh air. I can easily call this film a sophisticated monster horror film that will give you the most satisfyingly heartwarming ending with decapitated heads you will probably ever see in your lifetime.

This is just concentrating on the basis of the story as well. The visuals of this film are very...satisfying. It shows a very down to earth depiction of an urban city with creaky swing sets, yellowing windows, cracks in the walls and clothes that don't fit properly. The feeling of the atmosphere in similar to opening on old book that hadn't been opened in a while. There is that gratifyingly crisp sound and the wisp of what can only be labeled as "old book smell" that makes you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself. It's old, dusky and textured and that is what makes the moment romantic. The colors and visuals of this piece are like that at least to me. I believe this movie is considered by many to be high recommended because it is very poetic especially for a monster movie.