Movie Review: Let the Right One In

Let the Right One In
(Lat den ratte komma in)
- with english subtitles -

Sometimes a foreign film slips into US theaters and gives audiences a reason to rejoice. I am happy to report that Norway has the perfect film for the smart US theatergoer. Let the right one in is a story with many through lines. You could see it as a vampire horror film, a family's struggle through divorce, the life and times of a single child, a friendship film, a young adult love story, maybe even a comedy if you are so inclined. However - the main story that connected with me was that of a boys coming of age tale. Puberty, friendship, attraction, curiosity, sadness, connection, loyalty, bullying, its all here. And although it is primarily billed as a horror film, it is much much more than that. I imagine that if you are looking for a gory vampire tale, you will be highly disappointed.

"Let the Right One In" follows 12 year old Oskar (brilliantly played by Kare Hedenbrandt) who is an only child living with his protective mother. He splits his time with visits to his charming father's home (even though he has a serious drinking problem) on the weekends. Oskar is the typical loner kid you see in many movies. He does well in classes, is always staying late and studying up. He is prone to quiet time, alone time, and acting out revenge fantasies with trees. Of course he is bullied by his classmates, especially the brattish Conny (Patrik Rydmark). He doesn't know how to stand up for himself and is always using the battered wife syndrome to explain the cuts on his face.

Enter Eli and her "father" (Lina Leannderson and Paul Ragner), Oskar's new next door neighbors. A eerie vibe begins early on as the "family" moves in and immediately board up the windows, protecting them from the morning light which is on its way. Eli's protector (father?) takes midnight excursions to bring home "food" for his "daughter". Things tend to fall apart as Eli (the movies vampire heroine) and her guardian fing that the suburban Norway is a tough place to thrive. But what stays constant is the growing friendship between Oskar and Eli. What grows is a special relationship that can only be had between 2 outcasts. Each learning from each other, and in turn, learning about each other. It's a tale of acceptance.

The film has a slow place, from beginning to end. Thankfully it never takes a turn down the road that so many new horror films take. There are no jumpy moments, no shaky cams, and no ridiculous gore. There is however its fare share of blood - after all our "hero" survives on it. And besides one scene, with the neighborhood cats, the film doesn't rely on special effects to pack its punch. (Note on this, one reason I didn't give this film a higher rating is because of this scene which unexpectedly uses CGI, and fails miserably).

It is a film that you cannot nail down. You cannot nail down the genre, thats for sure. But what I really liked about 'Let the Right One In' is that the director never took the easy way out. It is unique - the vampire is basically the good guy here. It is breathtakingly beautiful (even made me wish for feet of snow to fall in Chicago). The acting, especially by Oskar and Eli, was amazing. So many times I want to kill child actors who ham it up or seem completely unnatural, this is not the case here. These two hold their own. It is slow, but thoughtful. This is what the film industry needs more of, breathtakingly original views of old genres, instead of re-treading and re-making so many substandard films.

***1/2 out of *****