A foreign (Russian?) movie about the bond between a little boy and a little girl. The catch is that the little girl is a vampire.
It should be pointed out that despite there being blood and killing, this is not a horror film. This is a drama.
The little boy is from a broken home and is dealing with bullies at school. He's sort of a loner. The little girl is dealing with being a vampire and is also a loner. So obviously they hit it off.
This film really suffers from pacing, and I was having a touch of trouble figuring out who the smaller players were and why I should care about them (I was playing Ghostbusters on my 360 at the time too, so...). That being said, it's still an excellent film.
Now I'm not as in love with it as the reviewers who claim it's the best vampire film ever, but do think it was very good.
Basically, it tells a good story about youth and loneliness. It's about these kids searching for themselves and someone to care for them. I know that sounds cheesy, but it works. The two actors that play the kids are outstanding, and nobody in the supporting cast is weak.
One thing I didn't like was the girl's "assistant". I feel that he was symbolic of the boy's future and I truly hope that was not the intent. Not to mention that for someone who had mostly likely been at this a long time, he REALLY sucked at his job.
The cinematography was outstanding throughout. There are some really, really good shots that help to get the story over beautifully.
There is one moment that I didn't understand and it involved the nudity of one of the two lead characters. It was a super quick shot, and I believe it was meant to convey how their relationship was not sexual or wouldn't be. Now I realize they used makeup and nothing is really seen, but I would've picked another way to convey that message.
This film won't be for everyone. It is a drama that's heavy on characterization and the pacing is a touch on the slow side. However, if the story sounds interesting and you like a well made film in terms of cinematography, give it a look.
7 out of 10
Let The Right One In (2008)
Let The Right One In (2008)
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
Loved it. I agree, one of the best vampire flicks ever.
The older assistant, the "Renfield," was a bit of a mystery. Could have been another youthful friend all grown up, could have been a vampire groupie, could have been a pedophile. Who knows. But nobody is going to rent an apartment to a 12 year old girl, so she needs to travel with an adult who can walk in the day.
I love how subtle they were with a lot of the vampire moments.... not overt. There was disturbed snow on the sill outside his window... she had been watching him.... but it wasn't highlighted or dwelt upon; it wasn't shoved in our faces. There are a lot of neat moments like that.
Really liked this film. One of the best I've seen in the last few years.
Will have to watch the American remake that came out recently, and compare. I predict the people who remade it completely missed the point of why this film was so good.
Edited By GORDON on 1298786065
The older assistant, the "Renfield," was a bit of a mystery. Could have been another youthful friend all grown up, could have been a vampire groupie, could have been a pedophile. Who knows. But nobody is going to rent an apartment to a 12 year old girl, so she needs to travel with an adult who can walk in the day.
I love how subtle they were with a lot of the vampire moments.... not overt. There was disturbed snow on the sill outside his window... she had been watching him.... but it wasn't highlighted or dwelt upon; it wasn't shoved in our faces. There are a lot of neat moments like that.
Really liked this film. One of the best I've seen in the last few years.
Will have to watch the American remake that came out recently, and compare. I predict the people who remade it completely missed the point of why this film was so good.
Edited By GORDON on 1298786065
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Finally watched it. Superior in every way to the American version.
He's totally that boy's future. Reason he sucks at his job is because he's been doing it for years, and he doesn't really like it. It's easy to suck when you don't care anymore. He wanted an out, but wasn't getting it until one of them died. When he warns her against seeing the boy, I don't think he's doing it out of jealousy or fear of being caught. He knows what the fuck she'll do to him, but he can't tell the kid because he sure as fuck won't take the old man's word over hers.
The American version fleshes things out a bit more with a flashback. If you take it symbolically, yeah, it's what you said. Also the distinct possibility of the vampire that turned her did so because he was a pedo and wanted a permanent fuck doll. Or maybe she just figured that being a tween forever would make sex weird.
The vampire kid in this flick is slightly more sympathetic than the one in the American version. She shows a spot of remorse after ripping someone's throat out purely due to starvation and incompetent help. Still a manipulative, murdering creature, though.
Edited By Malcolm on 1430676762
One thing I didn't like was the girl's "assistant". I feel that he was symbolic of the boy's future and I truly hope that was not the intent. Not to mention that for someone who had mostly likely been at this a long time, he REALLY sucked at his job.
He's totally that boy's future. Reason he sucks at his job is because he's been doing it for years, and he doesn't really like it. It's easy to suck when you don't care anymore. He wanted an out, but wasn't getting it until one of them died. When he warns her against seeing the boy, I don't think he's doing it out of jealousy or fear of being caught. He knows what the fuck she'll do to him, but he can't tell the kid because he sure as fuck won't take the old man's word over hers.
There is one moment that I didn't understand and it involved the nudity of one of the two lead characters...
The American version fleshes things out a bit more with a flashback. If you take it symbolically, yeah, it's what you said. Also the distinct possibility of the vampire that turned her did so because he was a pedo and wanted a permanent fuck doll. Or maybe she just figured that being a tween forever would make sex weird.
The vampire kid in this flick is slightly more sympathetic than the one in the American version. She shows a spot of remorse after ripping someone's throat out purely due to starvation and incompetent help. Still a manipulative, murdering creature, though.
Edited By Malcolm on 1430676762
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Let the Right One In
Just rewatched it for the first time since my original viewing, with my kid.
I think the guy had two "bad nights" in a row, and the second time, he knew he was fucked. But Malcolm's thought that he was just sick of it all and was purposely sloppy is also an interesting idea.
This remains an excellent movie, in spite of the most brightly lit dark forest in movie history.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."