Eli Casting

[withinfocus]

Simple question I hope: do you think Lina Leandersson correctly represented Eli from the book? After chatting on a couple other posts I'm getting the feeling here that people really think she fit the role perfectly and that Chloë Moretz in "Let Me In" doesn't connect as well for some reason. As I'm usually on the defensive trying to see why people take Chloë so negatively, I'd like to reflect that and ask why (please, specific examples) you think Lina fit the character. I feel like there's a lot of "the eye likes what it sees first" and would love to understand why people are giving Lina the win besides that she played the character in the film that came out first. Thanks in advance!

[Doosty]

When my friend watched LtROI with me he asked me if Lina was a boy or girl actor during Oskar and Eli's second meeting. At no point have I heard of anyone ever doubting whether or not Chloe was a girl or not based on her looks. Lina looks much more androgynous in the film and she has dark hair like in the book. These were just basic things that made it easier for me to see "Eli" in Lina more so than Chloe. But then again I haven't seen LMI yet, only a bunch of clips so I can't agrue on how each portrayed their respective vampire characters.

[wolfshadow]

Thankfully, I didn't go to watch LMI expecting to see Eli. I went to see Abby. Eli, as Dootsy mentions, is a dark-haired person who's gender is somewhat difficult to figure out. Between Lina's natural appearance and the likely small bit of makeup used, she hits this near spot on. Might have looked more the role with slightly shorter hair, but if I recall, at that age, my hair was fairly long as well and I'm male. One thing that was prevalent in Lina's portrayal of Eli was the sadness of being around for 200 years.

Although we don't have a source description for Abby, clearly, she is not dark haired and not quite as genderless. I think Chloe did an excellent job with her role as Abby, however, her physical differences would make it harder for me to see her as Eli, especially having seen her play girls in other roles, IE HitGirl. She also didn't seem to have the same weight over her as Lina did with Eli, which I think made Lina a better version of Eli.

[WhiteBackground]

I think it's worth pointing out that nowhere in the novel Eli is perceived as androgynous neither by Oskar nor by anyone else who sees her. She is immediately recognized as a girl, and a very pretty one at that. The only thing that gives her away is a deeper voice. That visually Eli's gender is "somewhat difficult to discern" is a technical device invented by Tomas Alfredson.

[ykeleven]

For me, Eli and Abby are two different characters, and I like Eli better than I like Abby. Chole is an amazingly gifted young actress. Her undestanding and preperation for her roles are top notch. Very professional. I have no doubt that in dozen years or so, she'll be an A list celebrity. Lina is a great actress also, but she basically followed the tight direction of the Tomas at every scene.

Abby is not Eli. Closest thing Abby can be is Eli post Oskar (and more twisted). Abby loves Owen but she also manipulates him to a future which cannot be that great for Owen. Abby is innocent (almost), but she is also a seductress. Eli is innocent, period. Oskar is Eli's first love. Eli has no ulterior motive other than friendship, acceptance and love (which we all desire). I have no idea how Oskar and Eli will end up. I have a pretty good idea how Owen and Abby will end up.

So if you are asking who was better Eli, than to me, without a doubt, Lina was better Eli.

Conversely, if you asked me which one of them was better Abby, than of course, Chole was better Abby.

[lombano]

I think it's worth pointing out that nowhere in the novel Eli is perceived as androgynous neither by Oskar nor by anyone else who sees her. She is immediately recognized as a girl, and a very pretty one at that. The only thing that gives her away is a deeper voice. That visually Eli's gender is "somewhat difficult to discern" is a technical device invented by Tomas Alfredson.

Not quite, Jocke is unsure whether Eli is a boy or a girl (despite the pink sweater) and Lacke and Virginia always refer to her as a 'child,' as if unsure about her gender.

[Aurora]

I think it's worth pointing out that nowhere in the novel Eli is perceived as androgynous neither by Oskar nor by anyone else who sees her. She is immediately recognized as a girl, and a very pretty one at that. The only thing that gives her away is a deeper voice. That visually Eli's gender is "somewhat difficult to discern" is a technical device invented by Tomas Alfredson.

I don't think that's entirely true, Hakan obviously knows exactly what Eli is for a start. Also Gosta, Jocke, Lacke and Virginia called Eli a child (not gendered) rather than a girl. Although Tommy (not in the film) and Oskar originally both thought that Eli was a girl. It's worth remembering that Eli quite deliberately didn't interact much with people unless they were going to become meals.

[gattoparde59]

I think it's worth pointing out that nowhere in the novel Eli is perceived as androgynous neither by Oskar nor by anyone else who sees her. She is immediately recognized as a girl, and a very pretty one at that. The only thing that gives her away is a deeper voice. That visually Eli's gender is "somewhat difficult to discern" is a technical device invented by Tomas Alfredson.

The novel Eli is androgynous in the sense that he appears to be a girl, which seems to be your argument. Appearance and clothes aside Eli's behavior in the novel if often masculine. I feel that is less true of the TA version.

[a_contemplative_life]

For what it's worth, I felt that Lina's acting was on a deeper level than Chloe's. I don't know whether this is something that can be attributed solely to the actresses, or to the directing and the actresses. I suppose, though, that it was a mixture of both. Somehow, I felt that Lina's portrayal of the child vampire was more genuine, and that Chloe's was more superficial. There is a kind of pathos mixed with childlike innocence in Eli that I thought came out more with Lina than with Chloe. This is a pretty subjective impression, but that's how I felt.

[TΛPETRVE]

As I said before, Lina's rendition of Eli starts off showing quite a boyish demeanour, both in poise and voice. Only after warming up to Oskar - on their third encounter, that is - she gradually turns into a girl.