LET THE RIGHT ONE IN Controversy

I've kept rather mum about my feelings regarding LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, one of the most celebrated vampire films in recent memory. Although I missed the film's limited US theatrical run, I read the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist and found it be one of the most pleasurable reading experiences in recent memory; simply put, it stands as one of the most richly textured vampire novels I've ever read, joining Le Fanu's CARMILLA, Stoker's DRACULA, Matheson's I AM LEGEND, and King's SALEM'S LOT in the upper echelon of blood-sucking literature.

Hence, I had very high expectations for the film, having read nothing but positive reviews. However, the DVD left me cold; in part because it left out so many crucial narrative arcs that made the novel so deeply felt, the movie felt hollow. In particular, Lindqvist depicts one of the most chilling vampire-human symbiotic relationships since Dracula put the bite on Renfield, and while it should come as no surprise that time limitations forced the film-makers to make some tough decisions, I felt that the movie adaptation really needed this element, if for no other reason than to give the title gravity and weight.

With that said, I learned of some controversy regarding the film's subtitles. Apparently, the DVD manufacturer substituted less nuanced subtitles for ones that graced the theatrical version. According to one reviewer, this substitution made the film virtually unwatchable, causing me to wonder if some of my resistance to the film might be due to this flub. Apparently, a new DVD is in the works, one that restores the original subtitles. When that version becomes available, I'll need to revisit the film. To be clear, the film is still very good; I just advise the curious to seek out the book.