I really… honestly… hated the movie. Granted I read the book first, so that is possibly why. They really dumbed down the characters, cut out all the stuff that made them important and gave them a role in the story at all. All the little bits and pieces that added up at the and and made you go, “Oh god, yes, I remember this moment way back in the beginning…” Hakan’s intentions for helping Eli were lost, his whole ruled-by-lust-and-sin factor was nonexistant. Also, the fact they so narrow-mindedly turned Eli into a girl for the film seemed outrageously homophobic. Honestly, when people know Eli is male and refer to him as a she simply out of their own skewed view of the character, I view it as offensive, because it reminds me of the kind of attitude people have in real life. Like with trans* or genderqueer people.

Apart from the book, as far as an actual movie goes, I would find it on the okay scale. But my extreme unhappiness with it really did come from the book. I didn’t feel any of the raw emotion in it. I didn’t feel the sadness, the disgust, or the frightening aspects (when Oskar cuts his hand and Eli starts to reveal his true nature for example).

Also, changes for the sake of changes? What’s with turning Jonny’s name to Conny? On top of that, making him the only “real” bully, as if the audience couldn’t handle the complexity otherwise.

my favorite part of this movie was when he comes out of the pool and smiles at eli. it made me smile big. i was happy for the rest of the night. :)

I knew the film would be better than the book, and it was. The director took all the flab out out of the original (including several characters and a couple of plot arcs), and retained the most powerful elements. I loved the way that he hinted at some of the back stories with just an image or two. It was enough. The ending was perfectly shot. Great film.

I liked the simple plot and the simple setting. Very european. The kids were really good. The girl that played Eli was very interesting. Would like to read the book to learn more about the character of Eli. I am not looking forward to the americanized version of the story. I heard the idiot that made Cloverfield is going to do it.

http://filmeyeballsbrain.com/2009/02/22/tomas-alfredson-let-the-right-one-in-2008/

http://www.allconsuming.net/item/view/3362376

Having screened both the original Norse and this English dub, have to say that this flick’s way better in the former. Going through it in dumbed-down mode is no fun for anyone.

Not only extremely well crafted, but adorable to the point that it stains your brain. The acting, direction, frosty setting – including all of the kids in their charming scarves & thick winter coats which suits the “cool” love story, or “First-Love” story, perfectly (& of course you can’t go wrong naming a project after a Morrissey song, as far as the author is concerned.)

This is a film that deserves recognition (& certainly SHOULDNOT be remade into some unnecessary Americanized mess!)