Vita Brevis Breviter In Brevi Finietu

Vita Brevis Breviter In Brevi Finietu

Wednesday 28 July 2010

Låt Den Rätte Komma In (Let The Right One In)

Låt Den Rätte Komma In is a Swedish film produced in 2008. The film is about a bullied child, called Oskar and sees him forming a friendship with young vampire Eli, and illustrates the development of their friendship.

The film, although technically a horror due to the vampire lead character, is beautifully sweet and romantic. The innocent relationship between the two characters is charming, realistic (minus the vampire element) and heart-warming. Both the lead child actors far outshine any of their adult supports, both playing perfectly believable 12 year olds. The young actress who plays the part of Eli, Lina Leandersson, plays the part well making the vampire elements of her character flow naturally, rather than over dramatising the part in a way many vampires do (ie too much dark makeup, snarling noises, ‘evil’ traits etc).

The film, set in winter in the 1980s, is full of beautiful snowy locations, which contrast well with the growing warmth of the relationship between Oskar and Eli, adding to the realistic style of the film. The deaths of various characters are also believable as the scenes do not focus on the gore aspect, the lack of extreme build up in tension before the on screen deaths allows viewers to focus more on the reasons behind their deaths than be distracted by gore or a cheap scare. The genuine feel and believability are factors that make the film so touching to watch.

My personal highlight of the film, other than the sweet nature of Eli and Oskar's friendship, was a scene in which one character, after being incarcerated in a mental institution after being attacked by a feeding Eli, bursts into flame when her husband opens the curtains, not realising that she has been infected with Eli’s vampire blood. The flames themselves are a spectacular sight, completely engulfing the woman in a blast of heat.

I’d rate this film 4.5 out of 5.

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