Unfortunately, I think that Eli and Oskar’s relationship is
becoming more normal in the society that we live in than we are willing to
accept. Besides the fact that Eli is a vampire, we see two teenagers that are
very curious in the opposite sex yet still maintain childlike personalities. We
still see Oskar playing with his car toys and he also asks Eli to exchange
blood with him. Normally, girls don’t partake in the “blood brothers” activity
which gives a sense that Oskar still has the innocence because he isn't quite
sure what having a GIRLfriend actually means yet.
In this modern world, teenagers are getting younger and
younger when they start engaging in sexual activities. However, seeing that up
on the big screen may be shocking to many people. Even though there are films
that address such issues such as teenage pregnancy such as Juno, a comedic factor has to be put in make viewers not feel as
uncomfortable. Let the Right One In takes an entirely different approach
however and makes this film into a full fledged romance which makes viewers,
including myself, entirely uncomfortable because we aren't ready to show such a
Taboo thing in society on the big screen (even if it happens more than we would
like to admit).
Like most teenage relationships, the relationship between
Eli and Oskar isn't really about love. I do believe that the two characters
believe that they have good intentions but in reality they both have motives.
Oskar can use Eli to escape the bullies at school as well as his mother who he
obviously doesn't mind leaving behind. Eli can have a companion as she moves
place to place feasting as well as have Oskar either become like her eventually
(Twilight moment) or have him help her stay the way that she is like her other
caretaker.
Eventually, Eli and Oskar will most likely come to a tragic
end because of the naivety of their ages.
I think you make a good point that the Elie and Oskar are more sexualized than our American audience (including myself) is ready to take. I will admit I tried to force their relationship into a more acceptable form, in a "Aw look at the puppy love" sort of way. But it was truly forcing it, because of the instance where Elie crawls into bed with Oskar, naked and walks her fingers down his arm. We can tell by Oskar's reaction, it's certainly a far more intimate experience than he was expecting, and it also is much more intimate than most can deem acceptable for a "puppy love" scenario.
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