Why is it set in the 80s? - Let Me In (2010) Discussion

[–] Jameron 9 years ago

The author of the book was twelve, more or less, in the very early eighties and as this is partly autobiographical it makes sense that the story is also set in the early eighties. As for the film, it benefits from remaining in that time period by being able to ignore the emergent forensic sciences used in crime solving. Also, no CCTV cameras, no mobile phones with gps signals to track, etc. It all makes it far easier, and more believable, for Abby and Thomas to remain hidden for as long as they did.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3tGxnFKfE

http://tinyurl.com/LTROI-story

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[–] DavidStHubbinsUSA 9 years ago

All great answers here.. I rarely see this on an IMDB discussion board. Maybe it's telling of the intelligence of this movies audience? I don't know but it sure is great to see and I'm seeing it on multiple subjects here. Thank you!

Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man....

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[–] StaticEngine 9 years ago

Just watched it.

I the 80's work because of the scare around both the Ritual Satanic Abuse, and the thoughts around "evil" as expressed by Reagan being something that exists in another country (the Soviet Union). The Satan angle plays to the cop and the murder suspicions, but the idea of outside evil contrasts with Owen and his observation of evil at school every day with the bullying.

it's also an American take on the social contrast from the Swedish film, with fears of communism and the economic troubles that were occurring in Sweden during the same era. These were the themes that were on the radio and in the papers in the original version of the film.

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[–] HarpoSpoke 9 years ago

Just watched it.

I the 80's work because of the scare around both the Ritual Satanic Abuse, and the thoughts around "evil" as expressed by Reagan being something that exists in another country (the Soviet Union). The Satan angle plays to the cop and the murder suspicions, but the idea of outside evil contrasts with Owen and his observation of evil at school every day with the bullying.

Agreed. I really liked how Reeves wove those facets of the early 80s into the narrative. The time period comes from the novel of course, but he found things from that time period to add to it in his version.

I thought it was implied that Reagan's view of good and evil in simple black and white terms was too rigid and the truth is always more complex than that. Almost all the characters in the film are "grey"...somewhat good and somewhat evil.

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[–] mywhychromosome 9 years ago

Also, something I never see commented on is, the Now and Later theme song Owen hums throughout...I presume that's from the 1980's? I mean, it's the last line of the film...

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[–] HarpoSpoke 9 years ago

I think that was a commercial jingle from that time. I've never heard it myself though.

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[–] koffeenkreame41-1 9 years ago

Me too.

"I'm the ultimate badass,you do NOT wanna f-ck wit me!"Hudson,Aliens😬

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[–] cassbtt 9 years ago

Here's a thought:

By placing it in the 1980s, and making it a period piece, it kind of suggests to the audience (us), in the 2010s, that we're in a loop. Some here have talked about this, but maybe not in those words.

That is, it suggests the answer to the question of whether Owen is destined to be the next grumpy "father figure" 30+ years later doing a still-young Abby's bidding.

It's not very pleasant, but by making this a period piece it sort of suggests that, in the broader story, this is just one episode in a TV series stuck in constant reruns.

Sorry to say - to those who have more optimistic views that Owen will break the mould.

http://www.catconsulting.ca/themanyfacesofabby/index.htm

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