TAD2008: Let the Right One In
It's almost redundant to write a review of Let the Right One In at this point. You should all know by now that we are unanimously in love with this film. Tonight's screening at Toronto After Dark marked the third year for this fledgling festival and the house was packed, also marking the first sold out film screening for this festival in its short history. And when you have a film that is so simply marvellous as Tomas Alfredson's is then it should come as no surprise that the cinemaniacs piled into the Bloor Cinema. I have watched Alfredson's film numerous times now and it hasn't gotten old or stale. And this was the first time I got to see it with an audience so I was also feeling out the crowd as the film went along. And the crowd loved it. What a way to kick off the festival!
So how would I review Alfredson's film? Imagine if you will that you're sitting down at a table with the director and begins to tell you this beautiful story about a girl he fell in love with when he was twelve. Each moment is so innocent and tender. Then, he reaches across the table and slaps you in the head and says, 'Vampires!'. He then talks about where he grew up and the long, cold winters. The sound of the snow as it crunched under his boots and the thrill of running through fresh powder. Then, he reaches across the table and slaps you in the head and says, 'Vampires!'. He bares his soul and he talks about the bullies in school and how they used to tease him and harm him. Each incident bears terrible heartache but he got stronger and stood up to them. Then, he reaches across the table and slaps you in the head and says, 'Vampires!'. You start to get the idea. Alfredson has done the unthinkable and weaved a tale of childhood romance that is so delicate and intricate then punctuated it with vampire mythology and folklore. Alfredson has made a vampire film the way that Takeshi Kitano made his Yakuza films like Fireworks, Sonatine and Boiling Point. The same way that Kitano created soothing and quiet films then punctuated them with acts of violence is very much the same way I feel Alfredson created his masterpiece. It is soft when it wants to be and it is hard when it has to be.
Believe the hype. This is the best film of the year!
