Rating of
4/4
Beautiful and Haunting
Dave Hall - wrote on 03/02/10
Let the Right One In is one of those unique and groundbreaking films that comes along once in a blue moon (forgive the pun). Beautifully constructed and evocative, Alfredson has a wonderful eye and composes every scene as if it were a painting. The expert use of shallow depth of field gives the film a dream like beauty, with fuzzy edges and hazy lighting. In his hands, the drab architectural landscape morphs into a sinister underworld and fills the film with a sense of dread. Lina Leandersson as Eli is brilliant as the gaunt young girl trapped in the body of a vampire. She really is the centre of the film for me.
Even the striking and melodic orchestral soundtrack is used to perfect effect, never over shadowing scenes but always a constant undertow heightening the emotion only when needed. It feels like everything conspired to make the perfect work of art and I haven't felt so passionate about a film in a long time. This is not a conventional vampire film, it is not even that scary, but what it does achieve, is show the real sadness of being on the outside. Unlike the Twilight series, Let the Right One In is for a more mature and intelligent audience. It is a heartbreaking and haunting masterpiece. I loved it.
