2. Lina Leandersson – Let the Right One In
Chloe Grace Moretz covered very much the same ground in Matt Reeves’ remake (Let Me In), but Lina Leandersson gets the nod here, not just for getting to the role first, but more importantly for delivering a more impressive, nuanced performance. Whilst children playing characters who seem wise (or precocious) beyond their years can be annoying and/or unrealistic (is any child capable of speaking like Casey Green does in When A Man Loves A Woman?), in the case of Let The Right One In, it essential to the character – Eli is an ancient vampire in a young girl’s body, a contradiction/tension that the film and Lina convey expertly.
The scene that perhaps showcases Lina’s considerable talents best is also one of the film’s most memorable, where Eli’s new friend Oskar discovers what happens if she walks in somewhere uninvited. As messy as it gets, the scene continues to be played subtly and gently rather than ramping up the histrionics and Eli’s obvious physical pain is contained and distressing, to her, Oskar and to us. A moody and affecting film, anchored by an almost bafflingly mature performance.
