Let The Right Movie In

I made a terrible mistake in New York City.

I had planned to go out to see a much buzzed about horror-drama the night it opened. The film is a dark, coming of age tale about a bullied little boy who falls in love with his neighbor, Eli, despite her terrible secret.

I'm talking about Let The Right One In...



The film is based on a novel, and no, it isn't Twilight. I have no interest in seeing tween soaps like Twilight, but Let The Right One In is supposed to be a moving, haunting masterpiece, and the tone looks right up my alley.

Too bad I changed my mind at the last minute.

I decided that since I was in New York, I should theme the movie night and go see Synecdoche, New York with my friends instead.

I had heard it was frustrating and flawed, and in fact I couldn't even get through the script, as it was so obviously going the dream-logic route and making no attempt to stay linear or make any sense. It was going to be a visual experiment, no doubt. I figured we would have a good time discussing it.



Mistake. The film is a dreary, repetetive cycle of misery, shame and failure. If you've ever wanted to see Phillip Seymour Hoffman cry for two hours straight while every one treats him like shit and/or dies, then this is the film for you.

Does it contain brilliant ideas? Yes. There are some great moments in the piece, but for the most part, the film loses much of its steam and impact thanks to its flat tone and uncompromising nature. Charlie Kauffman wanted to make a film about death and decay. Congratulations, I don't think I ever want to sit through this film again due to its droll, dreary nature, but I can't say I was ever emotionally invested in the first place.

I hoped I'd see Let The Right One over the following Halloween Weekend, but it didn't work out. I then checked the showtimes yesterday.

GONE.

The film lasted only two weeks in LA theaters and now it has disappeared. I'll have to catch it on DVD, or wait for the shitty American remake to come to pass.

Damn shame. I would have gladly gone and seen it during Twilight's opening day, out of sheer bitterness.

Let this be a lesson, children, ALWAYS go with your instincts.

East Coast. West Coast. Love.