Let the Right One Alone
This week brings something of a mixed blessing for the fate of Let the Right One In, the Swedish chiller that could potentially bring a bit of depth to the worn out vampire flick. Plaudits for this film have been legion as it has wound its way through the festival circuit.
The good news is that it will open in the USA next month, at least in New York City, with a DVD release soon to follow.
The bad news — oh hell, you know what I’m going to say. Yes, yes, an American remake is already in the works, courtesy of Cloverfield director Matt Reeves.
I have nothing against Reeves or anyone else involved in this nonsense — it really wouldn’t matter if the most talented director in America was helming this project. It just seems like we need to draw a line in the sand on the subject of remakes, and where better than with a film that actually seems to be a benchmark of the genre?
Yes, there is the temptation to say, “Well at least you can always get the original.” Maybe for now. But there are several disturbing trends — from the segregation of movies by DVD region codes to growing digital rights management protections and directors tinkering with their own back catalog — that should make the serious film fan a little jumpier than a little vampire girl any day.
