Låt den rätte komma in (Let The Right One In)

As many know, or will come to learn, I am not a fan of reading. I, like many out there, prefer to wait for the movie to come out. So when I go to see a movie and I find that the entire movie is subtitled, I usually have a strong urge to get up and walk out. However, I am very happy that I did not even budge as Let the Right One In is one of those movies that deserved to be seen in all of it's greatness. From the amazing child acting to the dark story line of life and friendship this movie will leave you wondering, have you let the wrong one in?

The film follows young Oskar and Eli as they try to become friends despite the fact that young Eli, is not so young after all. Well, in appearance she seems like your average pale skinned 12 year old girl in Russia, but on the inside you find she is missing one thing, a soul. This is because Eli is actually a Vampire. Now stop, before you jump to the thought of Twilight and that the only reason I liked this is the vampire story line, I ask you to read my review of Twilight and you will see that that has nothing to do with me liking this movie.

Oskar just wants a friend as he is your basic loner child who gets made fun of and beaten up, but when this mysterious girl moves in next door all he can seem to think about is being her friend. What is great about this movie is that despite the fact the Eli is a vampire it is the fact the Oskar liked who she was as a "person" before and the fact of living, nor dead, she is still that "person" he likes. But, as most vampires have to do, Eli must eat. And when people start turning up dead in town she realizes that she must leave Oskar behind and start over again. But that is not the end of this story.

I honestly fell in love with this movie, even though it was subtitled. As the dialogue was very intriguing and insightful, I could not help but feel for the young children. It is rare to see a movie that is set in another time, another country, another language and yet you still feel a connection with the characters. On a watchablity scale I do give this movie a six out of ten as it is slow, subtitled and hard to follow at times, but it still does get my recommendation for being an amazing work of art. From a production and acting point of view I give this movie a stellar TEN OUT OF TEN! Amazing job well done to these young actors and to the director Thomas Alfredson.

Joshua

Have you ever thought about having a child, or are thinking that a child might be right for you? I was the same way, I was all for having a son and watching as he grew up to be a man. That was, until I saw Joshua. The story of jealousy and a child who truly has a dark place in his heart, or is it all a coincidence? That is for you to find out in this amazing tale of feeling replaced.

With supporting actor turned lead role, Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile, Choke) plays Brad Cairn, the father of 9 year old Joshua, Jacob Kogan (Star Trek; Young Spock). We start the movie off with the most amazing site on Earth, the miracle of birth. Brad and his wife, Abby (Vera Farmiga; The Orphan, Running Scared) have their daughter Hazel. After 9 years of being the only child, Joshua now fears that he is going to be replaced as the one that they loved most, as most children do.

But, when things start to go wrong in the Cairn household, you instantly begin to suspect young Joshua to be the culprit. However, I do ask that you not jump to the conclusion that the child is pure evil, or satanic, but an innocent child. There is a logical reason why everything does happen in this movie that makes it seem that Joshua being evil is just the easy explanation. When in all reality everything he does, does in-fact seem as something that any child would do. But, you be the judge of that....

As the movie does get closer to an end, things do begin to become more-clear that all Joshua wants is to be loved, and that this genius of a child may have been too smart for his age. With a beautiful and haunting piano recital there is little question as to the extents that people will go to be noticed and loved. I 100% recommend this movie as a one time watch. On a watchability scale I give this movie an eight of ten. There are several slow parts in the movie and something’s seem a little to unreal, but I dare you to see this movie and still say that you would want a child and that you could love him or her no matter what.