To me it was a love story but with a bit of brutality to it. I beleive it did what it was supposed to do by stiring up emotions. I was angry when Oskar was getting bullied, happy when they started to fall in love and moved when Oskar got his own back. The scene in the pool made me squirm but glad that Oskar would be free of those bullies. I did feel slightly sad that now Oskar would probably end up like Eli's "father". I beleive it was a book first or am I mistaken? Anyway, a brilliant film. I read in one review "it was what twilight only hoped to be" Not a huge blockbuster like Twilight but definately a more beautifully flawed love story.