Let The Right One In

[robthegreatt]

Yah especially when nobody can explain it themselves hahahaha

[Lester Toil]

Spoiler alert:

Why do you all continue to call Eli "her"? He said he wasn't a she.

[krisvahl]

Spoiler alert:

Why do you all continue to call Eli "her"? He said he wasn't a she.

I think you misunderstood, Lester. I think what she did say was that she wasn't a 'girl', implying that mentally she was a grown (elderly) 'woman' trapped in an unaging girl's body.

[Lester Toil]

I completely thought she meant that in the same way, too, but then I remembered she said on two occasions she wasn't a girl and you may also recall the scene where we see a glimpse that his genitals had been completely removed from his body and sewn shut. Granted it was definitely a girl playing the role, but I walked away assuming it really WAS a boy.

[Kelly Tindall]

SPOILER CITY

In the book, Eli reveals that he is 200 years old, and was castrated before he was turned into a vampire. He is basically an 'it'.

[krisvahl]

Well there you go...I'll rewatch this in a whole different light now.

[Lester Toil]

Yeah, I just read online that, according to the book, Eli was born a boy and castrated by other vampires. I knew there was something up with that whole sewn-up genital thing.

[krisvahl]

More SPOILERS...

Y'know, I'm all for subtle storytelling, but I think most of the cues that revealed Eli was a boy were too easily misinterpreted as other plot elements.

For example-

- Eli saying she wasn't a girl was easily misinterpreted as referring to her vampiric age.
- Seeing her genitals, was easily misinterpreted as Oskar's sexual curiosity.

Apparently Eli's back story was filmed but cut for the final edit. Would be interesting if it get's restored in the DVD version.

There's an interview with director, Tomas Alfredson here...

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/38870

[Doh]

Finally saw it tonight -- fantastic. For those of you in L.A., it's still playing at the Regency Fairfax for at least this week. I highly recommend it.

I'm glad you guys explained Eli's background; my friend and I were wondering what was up with the scar above "her" genitals. If they filmed background material, I'd love to see more. Now I want to read the book.

http://www.regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=16

[Blue Pillow]

Just chiming in on how great this movie was.

I, too, found Eli's gender issue too ambiguous to interpret--but I liked the ambiguity, it created a sense of realism by implying a deeper, unspoken background--I think I prefer that to being told all the specifics of the character's history. It also helped relate Oskar's point of view, since he knew no more than the audience, and was left to act only on his youthful, unformed emotions, his need for companionship and validation.

[Lester Toil]

Now I want to read the book.

The movie supposedly pails to the book which obviously means it's a great read.

[HellboyOne]

Now I want to read the book.

The movie supposedly pails to the book which obviously means it's a great read.

I always hear that about The Shining. Then I hear about bushes running around in the book and I roll my eyes.

[Lazu]

Great movie,

why did the parents split? and who was the guy who came to visit the main character's dad, his buddy or partner?

[krisvahl]

Great movie,

why did the parents split? and who was the guy who came to visit the main character's dad, his buddy or partner?

I think you just answered your own question.

[Lazu]

It's just a hunch i had after the reaction the kid gave when the other guy arrived when he and dad were playing a game.

Have to read the book for clarity i guess