First let me say that I read the book a week before watching this movie, and watched the Swedish film a few days after seeing it. I found that all three were very different takes on the same tale, each with something very valuable to offer. Lindqvist explored the social context of the tale in far greater detail then either movie - the degenerate society of broken lives and relationships, alcoholism and drug abuse, pedophilia, crime, schoolyard bullying, and vampires. I had a strong feeling that killing people for blood was no worse than what was going down on a daily basis in that society.
Alfredson chose to concentrate on the story. A beautiful movie, somewhat detached viewpoint, just watching the story unfold.
Reeves, in Let Me In, was all about the relationship between Abby and Owen. The acting by Smit-McPhee and Moretz was outstanding, conveying so much so authentically with body language, expression and tone of voice. The adult actors did a great job too. Visually it was very different from the Swedish film. More moody I guess. As a visual artist I was fascinated by the different artistic decisions the two directors made. While watching the Swedish film I had to sometimes remind myself that it was the same story I had seen a few days earlier, so different were they.
I've been watching a lot of Japanase Yakuza movies lately, and have no problem with different movies telling basically the same tale in different ways. For Let Me In the original source material is the experiences that the writer and both directors had of their own childhoods, and all three artistic works are beautiful and powerful reflections on those experiences. I encourage anyone to see Let Me In because it is beautiful and powerful cinema. Period.
Alfredson chose to concentrate on the story. A beautiful movie, somewhat detached viewpoint, just watching the story unfold.
Reeves, in Let Me In, was all about the relationship between Abby and Owen. The acting by Smit-McPhee and Moretz was outstanding, conveying so much so authentically with body language, expression and tone of voice. The adult actors did a great job too. Visually it was very different from the Swedish film. More moody I guess. As a visual artist I was fascinated by the different artistic decisions the two directors made. While watching the Swedish film I had to sometimes remind myself that it was the same story I had seen a few days earlier, so different were they.
I've been watching a lot of Japanase Yakuza movies lately, and have no problem with different movies telling basically the same tale in different ways. For Let Me In the original source material is the experiences that the writer and both directors had of their own childhoods, and all three artistic works are beautiful and powerful reflections on those experiences. I encourage anyone to see Let Me In because it is beautiful and powerful cinema. Period.