Non-spoilery Let the Right One In notes.

[amanuensis1]

So I watched Let the Right One In, as I said I would once I discovered that the two characters actually shared the same gender (for more discussion on that, see the last post [and I first typed that as "for moe discussion," and maybe that's just as accurate]).

This is the quiet sort of film that I may or may not like, even if I recognize that it's very well-made, and in such a case the film's make-or-break will be the ending. In this case, I really loved the last two scenes. They fulfilled the story structure in a way that I thought worked exactly right, and so I did like the film. Thanks to all those who encouraged me!

Comments

[aquila1nz.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I did! The ending really solidified it.

[golden-bastet.livejournal.com]

Yay!!! Toldja. %^D

And the book's supposed to be better.

But there's apparently a remake in the works, taking place in Colorado or something. Not sure that's a good idea.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Not all remakes are sucky suck suck, but, I know what you mean. I usually prefer the original versions.

[libby-drew.livejournal.com]

I read the book first, so went in to the movie knowing Eli was a boy, but you're right, it's never explicitly explained in the film. In fact, I read several movie reviews where the reviewers themselves never realized.

The book is far superior, btw, although I liked the movie.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I was watching the "dressing" scene on a relatively small screen and I wouldn't have understood what that was, exactly, unless I'd been told beforehand. I think they intended that to explain things but IT WAS HARD TO SEE, GUYS!

[vikingcarrot.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed. Those last two scenes really did it for me too.

I want to discuss one of my thoughts about the ending there with you, but it would be quite spoilery. Is comment-spoiling okay here?

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Please, go ahead! We're behind the cut so I think it's fine. You might wanna put some spoiler space in just to make everyone happy. ^_^

[vikingcarrot.livejournal.com]

Sweet.

SPOILERS PLZ



Okay so that final scene on the train where Oskar's gone off with Eli. I'm torn on how to take it. I could see him becoming a vampire to be with Eli, but on the other hand, I wondered if that older man who was helping/taking care of Eli initially was in Oskar's shoes once upon a time. That Oskar will effectivly become the new version of this man. I can't remember the character's name, annoyingly. But you know who I mean. I can't shake this idea that in wooing Oskar, Eli now has a new person to grow up and take care of him/her at high risk to him.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's exactly what I took away with me too. In fact, I suspected the last scene would be of an adult Oscar in the company of Eli, who looks exactly the same as always. But I think I liked the subtlety of what they did with the final scene better.

[vikingcarrot.livejournal.com]

Oh good, so it wasn't just me.

God, that's sad in itself.

[cluegirl.livejournal.com]

Not having seen the movie, I bought the book last weekend. Perhaps I'll start it today, in hopes of chasing off this crappy mood...

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Aw, sorry for the crappy mood! Let me know if you like the book, I'm thinking of picking it up myself.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_riz/]

I thought it was a great movie, but the sort that I'd only buy on DVD in order to make other people watch it, and would probably never watch it again on my own.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I know just what you mean; I have to make myself not buy DVDs just because I want other people to see them, if I think I'll never watch them again. I'd own too many.

[morganthegreat.livejournal.com]

I actually have this movie on my instant watch queue on Netflix and I'm planning on watching it soon.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

If I'd cave and update my software I could do that too! But I haven't yet caved.

[morganthegreat.livejournal.com]

lol. it doesn't that that long.

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

*penny drops* So THAT'S what those scars were! I adored this film when I saw it, but I'm shallow enough that this revelation makes me love it even more! :D

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

YES! I was watching it on a small screen and had to pause (feeling like some perv who pauses to linger over the nekkid clips) and stare before I realized, "There's a SCAR there. That's what they're showing us!" I wouldn't have realized it, perhaps, without the foreknowledge.

[dbassassin.livejournal.com]

I'm really looking forward to this one. Smart + dark = WIN!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Smart especially. Films that don't treat the viewer like an idiot, whee!