from the point of view of a filmmaker

[The Man In The Wig]

I am young filmmaker. I watched let the right one in at school as part of a class where we watched foreign coming of age films and I loved it. Here is a review I wrote for the class. Feel free to read it if you want to.



Let the Right One In is a film unlike any other. It manages to be both simple as well as ambiguous; gentle and gritty; innocent yet dark; fantastical but realistic. The film's story follows Oskar, a disturbed 12 year old boy who is constantly bullied and Eli, a lonely 200 year old female vampire. What follows is, in my opinion, the greatest love story ever told.

Let the Right One In contains two of the greatest performances ever to be given by child actors (neither of whom had ever acted before). Kåre Hedebrant, who plays Oskar, is incredibly believable in his role. you can easily see him growing up to commit multiple homicides. One of the best examples of his incredible acting is in the first time where he is cornered by a group of bullies. The only thing that happens to him is that he is flicked in the nose, but you can tell from his expression and the way he breathes how terrified and humiliated he feels. When he stabs the tree in the scene in which he first meets Eli you can hear the desperate adrenaline and pent up anger in his voice. You don't even need the subtitles. Another terrific scene is the one in which he finally strikes back at one of the bullies. You can just see the perverse pleasure spreading across his face as he realizes what he has done. Though the character manages to be creepy enough to give Jack Nicholson a run for his money, he never alienates you with his actions. By the end of the film, both Oskar and the viewer accept him for who he is.

Lina Leandersson, the actress who plays Eli completely convinces you that she is a vampire who has been alive for 200 years. She manages to seem both childlike, with her big eyes and curious mannerisms, but also wise beyond her years, with her sad looks and air of detachment--which slowly wears away as she spends more and more time with Oskar. I also have to give big kudos to the make up department. Eli's lack of blood is shown very subtly through cracked lips, bags around her eyes, and a few faint wrinkles. The actress is able to make you sympathize with her even though she murders innocent (and not so innocent) people. We are shocked by her atrocities, but also sympathetic to her plight. This conflict is conveyed powerfully in one scene where she weeps over the body of one of her victims. You can't see her face, but you can read all her emotions from her body language. By the end you have fallen in love with Eli as much as Oskar.

The film's main actors are accompanied by a very good cast. The actor who plays Håkan is able to make you feel sorry for a child murderer with almost no dialogue. The woman who plays Eli's only surviving victim effectively conveys the horror of transforming into a vampire and the scene where she when commits suicide via sunlight is one of the highlights of the film. Even Lacke, the weakest character in the film, is still able to make you pity him at his horrific and undeserved death.

While the acting is probably the film's greatest strength its visual story-telling is incredible and allows it to transcend language barriers. In fact, the director originally wanted it to be a silent film. The movie opens like a roll call, introducing all the characters that you will see later in the film. One of the most powerful examples of the atmospheric cinematography is in the scene where Håkan kills his first victim. It is filmed from a long shot that makes you feel like you are in the scene observing the event take place. The scene reveals nothing beforehand, leaving you to franticly try to figure out what is happening as you see the murder unfold before your eyes. Another of the films greatest visual strengths is its use of reveal. Almost every single scene features a character looking at or talking to someone off screen. This technique makes the viewer subconsciously attempt to look behind the screen and see the character. This keeps you involved and on your toes. The most memorable instance of this is in the first scene in which Eli and Oskar meet. Oskar turns his head and the camera follows him, revealing the answer to his prayers.

Another great aspect of Let the Right One In is the film's sound design. You can hear everything, from boots crunching in the show to throats being slit. Every single sound is crisp and clear. Often the sounds are scarier then the visuals. One of the best examples of this is the first time Eli has to kill someone. The attack is mostly in shadow but the gruesome noises stimulate your imagination. the film also features some great diegetic music, especially in the final pool scene.

Let the Right One In is a truly unique film. When you get down to it the movie is neither a horror film or a coming of age story. It is in my opinion quite simply the single best example in fiction of truly unconditional love.

[a_contemplative_life]

Wow.

What a great review. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

[dongregg]

Wuh...that choked me up. Great review and right on target.

Welcome to the forum. You sound mighty infected!

[intrige]

Have never thought of that with them always walking out of the frame!
Thanks for poiting it out! You are VERY welcome to the forum!
The man in the wig, TMITW haha, tried to make it short, didn't work.

[gattoparde59]

Another of the films greatest visual strengths is its use of reveal. Almost every single scene features a character looking at or talking to someone off screen. This technique makes the viewer subconsciously attempt to look behind the screen and see the character. This keeps you involved and on your toes. The most memorable instance of this is in the first scene in which Eli and Oskar meet. Oskar turns his head and the camera follows him, revealing the answer to his prayers.

One of my favorite scenes, and you just explained why.

If you haven't already, read Wolfchild's two reviews about hands and sound design.

The Man in the Wig? A big red wig, made of human hair?

[Pitti]

PERFECT review,thank you Brought me back the memories from the movie again! Welcome to the forum

[The Man In The Wig]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I'm bleeding tears of joy

[lombano]

Welcome!

[Jameron]

Hey, The Man In The Wig.

Nice review

Have you read the book yet? I can highly recommend it, if you fell in love with the film I'm sure you will revel in the book.

.

[jetboy]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I'm bleeding tears of joy

Sweeet. And welcome.