The Movie...Let the Right One In
SPOILERS GALORE….Only Continue Reading if You’ve Already Enjoyed the Film!! The movie’s great and if you’re a fan of foreign, horror, coming of age, or vampires, I suggest you check it out.
But what bothered me was the unstated, though very present, undercurrents of sexuality related to a 12-year-old vampire. There is a shot in the film that shows a close up of Eli’s frontal, unpantied body. NUDITY IN A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL? REALLY? Is that ever appropriate, except if we’re catering to degenerates? Though I didn’t recognize it as such, one of my NFriends thought the shot shows a scar. Twice during the film, Eli says that she is not a girl and her comments might be referring to the fact that she’s dead. But is that true?
We know Eli is old, surely too old to have gone through any type of surgery while she was alive for a sex change or intersexual condition. But if it is indeed a scar, that’s where the package would have been. ALSO THERE’S THE ISSUE OF HER “FATHER,” who can’t possibly be, because he isn’t old enough. So, was he selected when he too was 11 years old? As a grown man, are we to assume that their relationship is platonic or paternal? If Oskar is the chosen “father” replacement, will she become his girlfriend as he grows older? Though her body is 12, this girl has been around for a while and I think there is another aspect to this story that is only hinted at.
Ok, the sexual parts of this speculation are icky, but as many people have already mentioned, this is a dark story and I’m interested in what the filmmakers were striving for…because I don’t believe a story of this nature (12-year-old-vicious-monster-when-she-needs-to-be) would not dare to tread on such slippery, possibly tabooed, slopes. Or maybe I’m the degenerate, seeing sexual situations where none exist. Even if it’s to tell me I’m full of crap, what do YOU think?
But what bothered me was the unstated, though very present, undercurrents of sexuality related to a 12-year-old vampire. There is a shot in the film that shows a close up of Eli’s frontal, unpantied body. NUDITY IN A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL? REALLY? Is that ever appropriate, except if we’re catering to degenerates? Though I didn’t recognize it as such, one of my NFriends thought the shot shows a scar. Twice during the film, Eli says that she is not a girl and her comments might be referring to the fact that she’s dead. But is that true?
We know Eli is old, surely too old to have gone through any type of surgery while she was alive for a sex change or intersexual condition. But if it is indeed a scar, that’s where the package would have been. ALSO THERE’S THE ISSUE OF HER “FATHER,” who can’t possibly be, because he isn’t old enough. So, was he selected when he too was 11 years old? As a grown man, are we to assume that their relationship is platonic or paternal? If Oskar is the chosen “father” replacement, will she become his girlfriend as he grows older? Though her body is 12, this girl has been around for a while and I think there is another aspect to this story that is only hinted at.
Ok, the sexual parts of this speculation are icky, but as many people have already mentioned, this is a dark story and I’m interested in what the filmmakers were striving for…because I don’t believe a story of this nature (12-year-old-vicious-monster-when-she-needs-to-be) would not dare to tread on such slippery, possibly tabooed, slopes. Or maybe I’m the degenerate, seeing sexual situations where none exist. Even if it’s to tell me I’m full of crap, what do YOU think?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark Zajac on -
Your choice of the word "prurient" was excellent. I mean that sincerely. Yet, for reasons that I have given, I still truly believe that nudity of children in films is a mine-field that is best avoided entirely. Even so, perhaps I should have confined my remarks to the film in question. For one thing, the film presents children engaged in adult levels of violence. I submit that the violence was intended to seem more gruesome because it is so unexpected from children. I am convinced that the depictions of children in this movie were intended to be shocking. Presenting a naked child for shock value is provocative by definition, if not exactly in the prurient sense of the word. To me this is sufficient justification for censure.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Zajac on
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Permalink Reply by Mark Zajac on
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Oh, sorry. I had not realized that a string of multiple posts was impolite. Does it clog the forum in some way? I just figured that splitting my arguments into sections would let people respond on specific points more easily.
No harm was intended. I beg your pardon.
[:-)] Mark
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Permalink Reply by Donna Loves Movies on -
Hi, Mark, I've been gone all day and will have a long day tomorrow. I too was unaware that the shot had been faked and you're right that it makes a world of difference.
Some of the comments here have been enormously helpful, and some... not at all. I appreciate your thoughtful comments and will write more later.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Zajac on
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No worries. From long experience, I am comfortable with being unpopular for my old-fashioned views. Before disclosure of the fake, I mostly felt that everybody was focused on whether the story was acceptable, without considering that an actual little girl had been asked to go naked.
Tell me, is it possible that some people are notified by electronic mail for every single update of this discussion? I vaguely recall that I turned off a feature like that when I first subscribed. I can see how my fragmented post might have peeved anybody who got multiple notifications of my activity.
Hope your day goes or went well, depending on when you read.
[:-)] Mark
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Permalink Reply by J Derek on -
I'm pretty sure you're the messiah and come to save us all. Where do I send my donation?
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Permalink Reply by Pihk on -
...looks weird.
It's easier and more coherent to reply directly to the person to whom you are replying.
Just a suggestion. I'm not trying to moderate anyone.
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