Though its rare that they ever really make a box office dent, it nevertheless feels like there is at least one Foreign-language film produced every year that sweeps through geek nation. Whether they are genuine hits that achieve Oscar glory such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Pans Labyrinth or if they just manage cult status like pictures such as Battle Royale or Oldboy, these films are championed by fanboys and film enthusiasts alike, with not even the obstacle of subtitles managing to stop their success. While 2009 has yet to really produce that particular “it” film just yet, there is no doubt which Foreign film was coveted more than any other in 2008: Tomas Alfredson’s Swedish Vampire picture Let the Right One In.
Does it deserve such attention though? Many American audience members swooned over the release of Twilight last year, which was also about adolescence and the undead, but the difference between the two movies couldnt be greater. While Twilight is obviously aimed at adolescents, Let the Right One In is an incredibly mature Horror film, dealing with not only common issues about growing up, such as bullies and divorce, but also the meaning of deeper issues, such as staying the age of 12 while watching the ones around you grow old and die, and other conflicts like taking the lives of innocents when it is what you must do to stay alive. All of this is wrapped around a subtle and moving love story that manages to touch and still fill you with deep sadness at times.
The two leads in this picture, KÃ¥re Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson, couldnt be more brilliant here. While Hollywood still prefers to cast twenty and thirty-somethings in the roles that are slotted for teenagers, these two are actually the age they are supposed to be in the film, and theyre awkwardness, especially from Hedebrants Oskar, is quite genuine. Its tough not to empathize with the young man, as Oskars clumsiness seems as genuine as Ive ever seen it onscreen, as do his hardships at school. Having many of Oskars dealings with schoolyard antagonizers happen during Physical Education classes seems especially astute, as this is often the time when the embarrassment of growing up really rears its ugly head.
This is another reason why it breaks the heart that Oskar would have only one friend in the world, and that she would turn out to be a centuries old vampire. For an actress at such a young age to exude the maturity it would take to portray a girl stuck at 12 for all eternity, you would think you would need some kind of miracle, and thats pretty much exactly what you get with Lina Leanderssons Eli. Theres real depth and sorrow to this performance, as somehow Eli has been able to hold onto some of her childlike innocence because she has been frozen in that form for so long, but inevitably much of the sorrow and viciousness shes had to acquire over the years comes through due to her true nature. That this story works is a testament to the chemistry between Leandersson and Hedebrant, because you never really question their relationship onscreen, regardless of their incredible circumstances that the two characters have to face.
Director Tomas Alfredson, who has apparently never been interested in vampires or horror films before, has crafted what is probably the best film on the subject to come out this decade. The performances are genuine, and the moments of horror in the film are made with heavy helpings of remorse and viscera. The director keeps the operatics of the genre to a minimum, as the violence here is often times cold and quick, but still quite effective. Alfredson also uses the snowy Swedish backdrop to create terrific mood, as even the urban environments in the film seem remote and desolate at times, with people staying indoors due to the freezing temperatures, and when one does wander out into the snow, you can see why they should have just stayed in after dark.
You would think that a genre film with a cast that is mostly made up of children and young teenagers might be doomed to fail, but Let the Right One In is an exceptional piece of horror film making that deserves its widespread reputation. Viewers looking to abandon the popular teenage image of vampires brought about by the Twilight films or the overacting melodrama of films such as Interview with a Vampire or Bram Stokers Dracula will do well to check this film out, as the tools it uses to get across the sadness of eternal life are merely terrific performances and wonderful uses of mood and minimal special effects. A stinging look at adolescence, love, and the price of constant darkness, Let the Right One In is the real deal and a film that will continue to endure in the hearts of genre enthusiasts.
Alright, so the print and transfer on this disc is actually quite good. I didnt notice any artifacting and the image quality is overall pretty terrific. Thing is, this release by Magnolia Home Entertainment has changed the subtitles that ran in the theatrical release of the picture, which have apparently taken out a lot of the films subtle humor. I didnt find the experience to be too jarring from the original theatrical one, but the language here in these subtitles are a lot more straightforward.
Now Magnolia has stated they will release the theatrical version of the subtitles, but Ive yet to actually see a release of that version in stores or on the internet yet.
Deleted Scenes – You get about 6 minutes of deleted scenes with this release, but nothing of real significance.
Behind The Scenes Featurette – Also, nothing to write home about, this Featurette is your standard promotional extra with some behind the scenes footage.
Photo Galleries
Let the Right One In is an incredible vampire film, but those looking to buy this film should be forewarned about the situation with the films subtitles and the extras included here are a bit slim. Magnolia has promised to release a version that includes the theatrical subtitles, but I have yet to see that version. Still this is an amazing film that needs to be seen.
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Magnolia Home Entertainment presents Let the Right One In. Directed by: Tomas Alfredson. Starring: KÃ¥re Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, and Per Ragnar. Written by: John Ajvide Lindqvist. Running time: 114 minutes. Rating: R. Released on DVD: March 10, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
