Infection

[gattoparde59]

The title of this forum is "We, The Infected." Some comments in the other threads have reminded me that I want to make a post asking this question, what does being infected mean to you? What is it about this particular film that so gets under your skin? What are the symptoms of your infection, whether it has gone into remission or not?

For me, I think this has something to do with self-reflection. I see the film as one where the characters are forced into some kind of self-reflection. Because she has met Oskar, Eli is forced into reflecting on the fact that she is a human being, as well as a vampire. Oskar, because of his relationship with Eli is forced into similar reflections.

Without going on and on about it, I feel the imagery of the film suggest this idea of self reflection. We have literal reflections. There are scenes where the two characters mirror each other. There are barriers in the story that not only separate Eli and Oskar, but also serve to conceal things. Eli conceals her "other" nature from Oskar and that creates a barrier between the two that needs to be over come. At the end, the surface of the water serves as a barrier that separates Oskar from the rest of the world, and separates us from the carnage taking place above the surface.

Those are my feelings about the film, without getting into a personal confession about it.

How would you describe your own infection? What symptoms do you experience?

[wolfshadow]

I think what keeps this movie and the book both as one of my favorites is its portrayal of unconditional love. Its so rare these days to see people being nice to each other just for sake of being nice. People don't seem to develop real connections anymore unless they see something in it for them. Seeing Oskar just accept Eli as he was, without fear and almost without hesitation, is almost enough to give even the more cynical people some glimmer of hope, both for themselves and for people in general.

It's been several years since I have found a story that has gotten itself under my skin as much as this one has. Given how deep it has gone in so short a time (I saw the movie the first time just over a week ago), infected may be the right word for it, but in this case, its certainly not one I regret or will be curing anytime soon =)

[EEA]

Well the movie reminded me of how people want to find a place were to belong. And also about loving and accepting someone for who they are. About not being understood by the people that love you. That happens to Oskar whose parents neglect him.

[kirkesque]

I think what keeps this movie and the book both as one of my favorites is its portrayal of unconditional love. Its so rare these days to see people being nice to each other just for sake of being nice. People don't seem to develop real connections anymore unless they see something in it for them. Seeing Oskar just accept Eli as he was, without fear and almost without hesitation, is almost enough to give even the more cynical people some glimmer of hope, both for themselves and for people in general.

It's been several years since I have found a story that has gotten itself under my skin as much as this one has. Given how deep it has gone in so short a time (I saw the movie the first time just over a week ago), infected may be the right word for it, but in this case, its certainly not one I regret or will be curing anytime soon =)

Nice. Well said.

[moonvibe34]

When I first saw the film I was completely ignorant of the novel and characters. All I really knew beforehand was that it was a vampire flik so I guess I had no expectations concerning it. By the time the credits rolled I was overwhelmed with so much emotion and thought, that it actually kinda scared me a little. I'm usually a very guarded individual (emotionally) but Oskar and Eli managed to scale the wall of my defenses and by the time I realized there had been a breach it was too late. Infected!

Reflection and introspection have been a couple of my own symptoms. The story forced me to confront feelings, memories and yearnings that I had managed to bury under the numbing compost of career, distractions and wasted time.

At the age of 12 I could have easily been mistaken for Oskar. Our paths were one and the same. (Bullies, knives,revenge fantasies, ect... ) So I instantly related to and bonded with Oskar. I even had an "Eli" who came into my life as unexpectedly as she did into Oskar's only my Eli wasn't a vampire. (Dang it!) Without her I never would have made it through my darkest hour. Eventually I ended up losing my Eli because of my own fool heart. Years later I did reconnect with her. I would say that I lost her again but the truth is I couldn't find her. Sadly, the precious soul that I knew and loved had been replaced with a jaded and bitter void. (Maybe if I had been there...) Perhaps this is why I rooted so hard for Oskar and Eli, why the train ride at the end replaced all the fears, worries, doubts and horrors that preceded it with joy and satisfaction. They understood what I had not. They forsook all so that they could have everything in each other.

There are many worthy things in this life to study, ponder, believe in and search for but none more so than love itself. IMHO. I feel like there are many Oskars out there but only a few Elis and when an Eli comes along you do not take her/him lightly.

In addition to all this rambling of mine I also consider LTROI to be the greatest story of the vampire that I have ever watched or read. Nine months after my first viewing, JAL's story, with the help of the incredible talents that brought it to life, continues to impact me in ways that I am still discovering and still grateful for. I hope this hasn't been too boring or too off topic. Just some of the symptoms of a happily infected person.

p.s. I also agree with every letter of wolfshadow's post.

[a_contemplative_life]

I agree with Moonvibe and Wolf. A profound and deeply moving love story, bittersweet and tinged with horror.

[sauvin]

I agree with Moonvibe and Wolf. A profound and deeply moving love story, bittersweet and tinged with horror.

Just... "tinged"?

[wolfshadow]

Sadly, I think being an american and growing up on the american horror movies, IE slasher films, has made my view on horror a little skewed. I tried but really couldn't make myself view this movie as horror. Based on the Wikipedia definition, horror should be something unsettling that elicits fear, shock, disgust, panic and alarm. None of that seemed to apply. When my friend returns my DVD, I'll watch it again and try to focus more on the things that should be unsettling, like the old man and his actions and try to add in what I have learned from reading the book to see if that changes my perspective.

[sauvin]

Sadly, I think being an american and growing up on the american horror movies, IE slasher films, has made my view on horror a little skewed. I tried but really couldn't make myself view this movie as horror. Based on the Wikipedia definition, horror should be something unsettling that elicits fear, shock, disgust, panic and alarm. None of that seemed to apply. When my friend returns my DVD, I'll watch it again and try to focus more on the things that should be unsettling, like the old man and his actions and try to add in what I have learned from reading the book to see if that changes my perspective.

She's twelve years old. She's been twelve for two hundred years. And she's just moved in next door...

... and you don't find it unsettling that she sees Oskar as a Happy meal on legs, whether she wants to or not?

[a_contemplative_life]

I agree with Moonvibe and Wolf. A profound and deeply moving love story, bittersweet and tinged with horror.

Just... "tinged"?

Well, okay ... how about 'shot through and through' with horror?