Let Me In (Review)

The most original thing is the poster.

I have 2 very good reasons for thanking director Matt Reeves for the job he did with Let Me In.

  1. Thanks Matt for not fucking it up.
  2. Thanks also for making this review so much quicker to write.

For the last 10 or so days since I watched the Swedish original Let the Right One In I was dreading what might happen if someone tried to jazz the film up or “Americanise” it.

Thankfully I can report that this is far less a remake of the Swedish film than it is a facsimile of it, only with English as the spoken language.

In fact the first closing credit is “written for the screen by Matt Reeves”, surely given the fact that this film is 95% the same (minimum) as the original maybe “Translated into English by Matt Reeves” would have been more apt?

That said this could have been much worse, and I guess if this version introduced a film to people that couldn’t be bothered reading subtitles then it was a worthwhile exercise. For the rest of us it at least gives us a choice as to whether we want to watch the film with subtitles or in English.

If it is not yet clear this film and the original share the same plot and characters, therefore I would point you here for a more detailed description of the plot for both. In this space I will simply point out the differences between Let Me In and Let the Right One In – in non-spoilerific fashion.

Changes for neither better nor worse.

  • Oskar and Eli become Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and Abby (Chloe Moretz – I only said “that’s Hit-Girl a couple of times). Hard to compare acting efforts when one is in a foreign language, the only point I would make from the US version is that in every conversation between the two they continually whisper rather than talk.
  • This only twigged for me last night and pertains to both versions. Locals are dropping off in brutal fashion and others are disappearing. On top of that a patient in hospital with half a face spontaneously combusts – and ONE COP seems to be on the case? Seriously?
  • The US version takes place in America in the early 80s, something the soundtrack reminds us of repeatedly.

Negatives:

  • It seems that US audiences can’t be shown a pathetic, vulnerable vampire, therefore after Owen mentions that Abby’s aroma is a little pungent for the remainder of the film Abby is rarely less than an immaculately coiffed pretty young girl. You lose a little sympathy about how hard things are for you when it is clear you spent 45 minutes prepping your hair that morning – even if you have no shoes in the snow. There was something quite pitiable with Eli even after she sprayed a bit of Rexona under the pits.

    Fret not for me, but for the stylist who must deal with my bedraggled locks.

  • I’ll just say certain concessions are made to US audiences (thankfully not many). There is more swearing and the early scenes take the opportunity to show a bit of female flesh for no real reason.
  • Abby is more of a gymnast in the US version, her CGI assisted movements are at times distracting and at others pretty cool. I guess though if you swallow she’s an undead blood drinker than you have little right to dictate how she might move.
  • Also in the early scenes Owen’s private moments considering his plight with the bullies are a little more menacing and worrying. Put another way, in Oskar’s case I would have only thought his bullies needed to be concerned, judging by Owen’s early actions society might have had a problem if he continued building on his revenge fantasy.

    Um Dexter, might have a job for you in a couple years time.

  • The music and SFX were a little more overbearing and foreboding in the US version. You knew as the volume increased that “something is about to happen”.

Pluses

  • The familiar/gopher’s departure is justified and handled better.
  • The slightly distracting and unnecessary gay Dad subplot from the Swedish version is removed.
  • No CGI cats. Nuff said.

*************************************************************

Just like the fact that it is rare that a remake of a song sells more than the original – unless Kanye is somehow involved – it must be hard to take a truly GREAT film and do anything to stand out.

Watching this film reminded me of Groundhog Day, where Bill Murray’s character has learned all the do’s and don’ts about how to get into Andie MacDowall’s character’s pants, but rushes it rather than take his time to let it happen. Of course he inevitably fails because he tries too hard to force the issue – until he learns to just be himself and let things flow.

Matt Reeves is hardly forcing things with his Let Me In, but aside from the fact that he at least didn’t mess things up – which could have been very easy to do by the way – is the only real superlative I can give. After all, I could learn the lyrics to U2’s “One” and record me destroying them on CD (even if I didn’t try to!) and claim it as my own work, but even if I wasn’t a tone deaf lousy voiced singer (I am) it wouldn’t stand up to comparison with the original.

Therefore I again thank Matt for treating the story and characters with dignity, I recommend that everyone watch this rather than Twilight or even Paranormal Activity 2, but I can’t say it is as good as the first even though on the screen it seems to be.

Final Rating – 7.5 / 10. If you’d rather spend $20 to save yourself from reading a movie then go ahead. Just know the same movie – only better – is in the weekly section of the DVD shop (probably filed under “They talk funny”).

About OGR

While I try to throw a joke or two into proceedings when I can all of the opinions presented in my reviews are genuine. I don't expect that all will agree with my thoughts at all times nor would it be any fun if you did, so don't be shy in telling me where you think I went wrong... and hopefully if you think I got it right for once. Don't be shy, half the fun is in the conversation after the movie.
This entry was posted in Film, Movie Reviews, Worthwhile Movies. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.