Sunday, October 17, 2010

MOVIE REVIEW … LET ME IN

 

let-me-in-new-poster Whenever an American studio announces they’re remaking a foreign film, howls of outrage usually occur.  Some have been justified due to some appalling efforts, although occasionally a few improved over the original.  Let Me In stands as an equal as a remake of the Swedish vampire film ‘Let the Right One In’.  Managing not to disgrace its memory, it re-interprets its strong story by effectively creating its own creepy ambiance and respecting John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel on which both are based.

 

LET ME IN

Twelve year old Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a loner.  Living with his mother in an apartment block, her long absences makes the bullied adolescent wish for a true friend.  He finds one in Abby (Chloe Moretz) who moves into the flat next door.  Forming a close bond, their developing friendship is marred by her strange behaviour.  When her father mysteriously vanishes and a series of killings ensue, his curiosity unravels a shocking secret.  Discovering Abby is a vampire, their relationship enters a darker phase where night and day continually clash.

LET ME IN

Director Matt Reeves has understood what constitutes a good remake.  Replicating the qualities that made the original so loved and infusing new elements without subtracting from its integrity, he does a very decent job.  It’s remarkable given the pressure he would have been under from the studio to make it more ‘viewer friendly’ for general audiences.  That he mostly stuck to its uncompromisingly bleak atmosphere says a lot about his determination for moody quality over cheap scares.

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Ably supported by McPhee’s and Moretz’s great performances, Let Me In explores the loneliness enveloping both of their characters.   Their easy acceptance of each other shows the value they place in having someone to be with which grows into timid romance.  It’s interesting how this version highlights the impact of the violence around them and a society seemingly blasé against aggressive acts.  In this regard it succeeds in making the narrative clearer in understanding their motivations making this unusual coming of age/love story more engaging.

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Sometimes it’s difficult making someone watch a ‘subtitled film’ no matter its value.  An excellent remake like Let Me In is a good substitute and if it makes someone seek out the original then it’s no bad thing – something the makers of this fine adaptive redux can be most proud.

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Movie Review Rating 8 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

Let Me In released in Australia on Thursday 14 October 2010.

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.

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