Spot the Difference: "Let the Right One In"; vs. "Let Me In"
Obviously, the first noticeable difference is between the titles – the English title to the Swedish film is a warning, whereas the American title is a command. This simple difference, as much as anything in the two films, should tell you all you need to know about the purpose of each – Tomas Alfredson’s film warns of the choices we make and their consequences, whereas, not unsurprisingly, Matt Reeves’ film portrays victims subservient to the whim of fate. I wasn’t surprised by Reeves’ approach to the material because it is a rare American or Hollywood movie that depicts nuances between good and evil. Most American movies assume a fairly diametrical opposition between the forces of good and evil and rarely place us in a position in which we have to make choices or decide for ourselves. This is why Reeves’ film opens with the cops giving an escort to the ambulance taking ‘The Father’ to hospital after he’s doused himself with acid. Thus, we are told that this is the ‘bad guy’, and don...