It is a masterpiece. The simplicity of it, the sadness and beauty in this TRUE vampire film just brought me to tears last night.
Once payday hits, I'll buy the book, which I'm told is even more striking than this Swedish film was. The novel was written by John Ajvide Lindqvist and the movie directed by Tomas Alfredson. Is it even proper to call it a coming of age story? No, but it has a little of that mixed with my favorite thing about horror movies: creepiness. I'm not much into gore or cheap shocks, so the emotional depth involved in the eerieness of this story was just fascinating.
Oskar is a shy, withdrawn 12 yr old that is often in the receiving end of school bullying. He spends his days plotting revenge, and really, who of us that have found ourselves in that situation haven't entertained a few thoughts of self-glory? He finds himself in the company of a 12 yr old friend...who happens to be a vampire. No, not a sparkly vampire. A head-snapping, doe-eyed, gentle souled, ruthless killing machine. She is Eli.
Watch it. It's available instantly on Netflix, you'll find it somewhere online...just...watch the thing. Thank you, Sweden. You have restored my faith in the beauty of well executed films. The scenery, the blood...Jag har nej orden!
It is indeed a powerful film, and from what I've read, the book is even more striking, disturbing, and poignant. I hadn't seen a horror film with such poignancy mixed with utter foreboding since A Tale of Two Sisters.
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