Row Three » Review: Twilight- Where Cinema is more than just $100 Million productions

Review: Twilight

November 21st, 2008

Written By: Marina Antunes

Director: Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown)
Writer: Melissa Rosenberg
Producer: Wyck Godfrey, Greg Mooradian, Mark Morgan, Karen Rosenfelt
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Cam Cigandet, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 122 min

When it was announced that Stephenie Meyer’s wildly successful book “Twilight” was being adapted for the big screen, no one seemed to pay much attention but when fans started to buzz at the possibility of seeing their favourite (and for many, their first) sweeping romance on the big screen, the media took note. And who can blame them? Out of the woodwork came a devoted legion of fans, mostly female, ready to react with the fervour usually reserved, and expected, from fanboys; watching every trailer, reading every new tidbit of information, carefully dissecting and discussing every photo. Were the fans, a group of teens and women, vindicated by the greatness of the film adaptation? In one word: no, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a fan who didn’t walk away satisfied with what they saw.

Twilight Movie Still It’s a simple story: girl meets boy, boy is apparently unattainable, boy and girl eventually fall in love. At its core, Twilight isn’t a vampire story; it’s an age-old tale of lovers divided. In the past these tales revolved around feuding families or class inequality but in this case it’s vampirism. What could be more dividing than the thought that you could be devoured by the man you love? Perhaps it speaks to the sensibility of the masses that love isn’t easy. There are hurdles to jump and often, giving up is easier than giving in but the fact that these two, Bella and Edward, stick it out suggests that sometimes, love is worth a fight to the death.

The film is a surprisingly faithful adaptation of the novel. The key players are all here as is all the action but it’s lacking the most important element: the character development. Melissa Rosenberg’s script touches on all of the main plot points and introduces the key characters but her script fails to create whole people out of them. Even Bella and Edward, the romantic duo, are only lightly shadowed. From scene to scene I found myself recalling the novel, filling in the blanks left by the script – the interactions between Bella and Mike, the tension with Jessica and the awkwardness of meeting the Cullen’s. There are vague attempts to fill in some of these blanks but these are left mostly to Bella’s limited voiceover and in every case, it is focused specifically on Edward. That leaves the young cast with the daunting task of filling in the blanks with their performances and the results are mixed.

Twilight Movie Still For the most part, the supporting cast of “human” players, manage to capture the basic traits of their characters but given little dialog and small scenes, it’s impossible to make a clear assessment of who they are and what they want. As for the Cullen’s, they’re at an even greater disadvantage because they don’t even fit the typical teen “molds” and the film fails to distinguish between them other than to note that Rosalie doesn’t like Bella while Alice is keen on the opportunity for a new friendship. And then there are the leads. Kristen Stewart adequately captures the ferocity and passion of her character while Robert Pattinson has taken Edward in a slightly different direction then the novel. Though for the most part his direction seems to have read “brooding” and “more brooding”, he manages to create a character that is both removed yet appealing. A large part of it is projection from the novel but when he and Stewart share the screen, the sparks do fly.

Director Catherine Hardwicke, a woman with a knack for telling compelling stories of teens on the fringes (see Thirteen and the not quite as good but still compelling Lords of Dogtown) does a fairly good job of adding a feel of reality to the seriously contrived story and with the help of long-time collaborator cinematographer Elliot Davis, the film looks beautiful. The surroundings are lush, colourful and romantic and there’s a magical realism to the locale. It’s not the bland filmmaking one would expect from a middle of the road blockbuster, there’s serious cinematic talent at work here and it shows in the look of the film. But the reality is shattered by the sub-par effects that local critic Kevin Williamson compared to a ““Smallville” blooper reel.” There will always be an element of silliness to a story set in the “real world” where the supernatural is introduced and here it feels like Harwicke knew that it would look out of place and the film features the minimum amount of the supernatural, which I appreciate, but the scenes that are included are poorly rendered. I would have preferred a more subtle approach, like the opening scene where Hardwicke refrains from showing the movements and simply creates the feeling of the supernatural at play – the less is more would have been more successful.

Admittedly, the expectations weren’t high but Twilight managed to surpass them. Though it plays best as a companion piece to the novel than a stand alone film, it’s not complete rubbish. Non-fans will find a gorgeously shot romance which captures both the innocence and passion of budding love in a classic 50’s style where the kiss is the height of rapture (that “less is more” approach I mentioned before is used to great effect here), while those familiar with the story will be thoroughly engrossed and satisfied by the production.

Click “play” to see the trailer:

Links:
IMDb profile
Official Site
Flixster Profile for Twilight

32 response about Review: Twilight »

*Curmudgeon that I am I hope that this leads to better projects for Kristen Stewart (Greg Mottola’s Adventureland does not look like one of them though) who I really liked in Undertow (however brief), Panic Room and Into The Wild.

In the meantime, I’ll just post this:

And fellow Ghostbusters fan Mary-Anne Johanson posted an amusing review all in ‘girly-speak’ which is worth a read for its incredibly potent snark value.

Comment by Kurt Halfyard — November 21, 2008
She’s a solid actress just doesn’t get a whole lot to do here and Pattinson is in a similar boat - has potential but we’ll have to wait to see if it pans out.

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 21, 2008
I’m really torn here. If I can get into a screening by way of screen-hop, I may have a go at this one. Otherwise on one hand this looks horribly cheesy and trite. On the other, all the stills and trailers I’ve seen are gorgeous… and it IS vampires after all.

But Kurt is right. Depressing that “Let the Right One In” is opening all over the world today as well and no one will go see it because of the media hype on Twilight.

Comment by Andrew James — November 21, 2008
“Let the Right One In” is a vastly superior film but they’re not even hitting for the same ballpark - I’d give my money to “Let the Right One In” any day. But I didn’t mind the different approach here. Doesn’t always work but I was satisfied.

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 21, 2008
“Let the Right One In” is a vastly superior film but they’re not even hitting for the same ballpark

Exactly. LTROI is trying to reach intelligent theatre goers. Twilight is going for girls.

Comment by Matt Gamble — November 21, 2008
“Exactly. LTROI is trying to reach intelligent theatre goers. Twilight is going for girls.”

You’re bang on Mr. Gamble. I know I liked you for a couple of reasons. And it does a fair job of it too.

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 21, 2008
I’ve got to see this Let The Right One In movie. Saw Twilight last night. I thought it was fine, and pretty much exactly what I thought it would be. But everyone else in the theater was obviously a fan of the books and they were laughing aloud at it’s ridiculousness.

Comment by Rusty James — November 21, 2008
ROW THREE SUPPORTS ITS SPANISH FRIENDS TOO:

[...] Row Three: 3 de 5; SlashFilm: 5 de 10; Arrow In The Head / Joblo.com: 3 de 10; FirstShowing.net: 3.5 de 10; ScreenRant: 3.5 de 5; FilmSchoolRejecst: nota D. [...]

Pingback by Twilight desaponta nos primeiros reviews « Cine Rosebud — November 21, 2008
Position: “There will always be an element of silliness to a story set in the “real world” where the supernatural is introduced”

Counter: Let the Right One In. This film proves that it is possible to not end up with a “Smallville blooper reel” feel.

Comment by Agent Orange — November 22, 2008
@Agent Orange - Agreed but there’s also a completely different sensibility to both films. We’re going to discuss this in depth on the next podcast. It’s going to be “Vamp heavy.”

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 24, 2008
ABOUT COMMENT NUMBER 8 IN THIS PAGE: THAT’S MY BLOG IN THE PINGBACK LINK. MY NAME IS ALECSANDER AND… HONESTLY, I THINK YOU SHOULD KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE. FOR CHRIST SAKES…AFTER ALL, I’M THE POOR LITTLE UNDERDEVELOPED BASTARD IN THE PICTURE HERE… BRASIL SPEAKS FREAKING PORTUGUESE GUYS.. HELLO!!! WAKE THE F**K UP!

Comment by Alecsander — November 26, 2008
Jesus dude. I take back what I said about “our friends.” Lighten up. Why “SHOULD” I know the difference between Spanish and Portuguese? Do you know the difference between Chinese and Japanese? I sure as hell don’t. There are other ways to correct someone’s ignorance. And because you’re being a dick, I’m about an inch… sorry, a centimeter, from pulling your ping back altogether.

Comment by Andrew James — November 26, 2008
Sorry Alecsander didn’t notice that though I think that’s not us but WP automatically generates that text. I didn’t look closely enough - after all, I of all people will notice the difference - being Portuguese and all.

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 27, 2008
“Why “SHOULD” I know the difference between Spanish and Portuguese?”

Because one is actually a REAL world economic power with the LARGEST military in Europe; while the other can’t seem to figure that selling raw natural materials at half their worth on the world market, and triple taxation on it’s population to compensate for that loss, is NOT the way to grow an economy!

“There are other ways to correct someone’s ignorance.”

Yes, but unfortunately, this site would appear to attract a whole lot of assholes, dude! Sorry, but if this where my site, a written essay would be REQUIRED to gain membership!

Comment by David — November 27, 2008
David, you make Henrik look well-mannered by comparison.

Comment by rot — November 27, 2008
Heh. I think David only reads his own comments to set the tone around R3. Things are normally pretty civil and thought-out around here.

Comment by Kurt Halfyard — November 27, 2008
And here I keep getting excited that there’s actually discussion about Twilight going on. Ah well.

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 27, 2008
Maybe I am mistaken here, but the friends I have from Brazil that speak Portuguese have told me that their language is so similar that they can both communicate with Spanish-speaking people and read Spanish. So, is it really that hard to believe that someone not fluent in either language wouldn’t know the difference by just glancing at a site?

Comment by Jonathan B. — November 27, 2008
What is going on around here? Are you people for real? The review is on Twilight (i.e. teenage Vampire love story) and there are people actually debating (in a negative way) about the difference between Portuguese and Spanish and which country has a better socio-economic place in the world.

sigh…

I hope we never have to resort to editing or removing comments around here. For a year it’s been a lively place for film debate and discussion and very friendly… that has changed in the past week based off of film reviews.

Comment by Andrew James — November 27, 2008
I highly doubt we’re going to be able to keep on arguing with someone who is just going to bail on the active threads, hop on another thread, claim victory, and start again. He’s already buttering for defending him so you’ll be torn. It’ll be okay, don’t pull a Campea.

We come to RT for movies first, I have no problems with political argument here or there but The Movies Are The Meat. If David can’t grasp that we’ll treat him like The Parsley and he’ll cease to exist.

Comment by Goon — November 28, 2008
(btw, the Portugal thing was so random on here I just laughed at it. It’s like RowThree created a Non Sequitor Machine)

Comment by Goon — November 28, 2008
I found the Spanish/Portugal thing funny too. I’m sure it was an honest mistake from Fortress America. It comes from being boxed in by two big oceans. (Canada is guilty too).

It is equally hilarious because we have covered a lot of Portuguese stuff here via Marina (Saramango, Manoel de Oliveira, etc.) not to mention portuguese language stuff like Bus 174, City of God, Tropa De Elite.

As Goon said. How Random.

Comment by Kurt Halfyard — November 28, 2008
Bus 174 is the best movie I’ve ever bought for a dollar

Comment by Goon — November 28, 2008
iff uh whell rittan esai were rekwired to gane memburshipp i wood mayke rite a bowt Spane.

Comment by Goon — November 28, 2008
@#24

LOL

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 28, 2008
Ok! Sorry guys, and i mean that, even to the one that called me a dick (the inch-centimeter joke was awsome). I’m sure you didn’t mean it and i overreacted. Anyway, i needed to say something, and i’m glad you guys said somthing back. Enough said about it.

Now, about Twilight, the realese date for Brasil is december 19 (can you believe that? a totally non-REAL-world-economy-sort-of-thing!), and i’m about to watch it, of course. As Dr. House said, about Jagger, you cant always get what you want. At least not here.

I watched last week “Let the right one in” and i was blown away by it. i think it’s the better vampire thing in ages! Of course i don’t speak swedish, so, i had subtitles.

So, when i actually watch Twilight, i’ll be back to tell you what i think. Gotta go now… have to google “mandarin”.

Comment by Alecsander — November 28, 2008
uhh… sorry, “the best vampire thing… ”
my english sucks, as you already know!

Comment by Alecsander — November 28, 2008
Don’t get your hopes up Alecsander - Twilight is no where near as good as Let the Right One In but it’s fun.

Comment by Marina Antunes — November 28, 2008
@ the inch-centimeter joke was awesome

ANDREW TOTALLY STOLE THAT JOKE FROM ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Rusty James — November 29, 2008
ka-BLAM-0 !!

http://www.rowthree.com/2008/11/19/masters-in-the-making/#comment-19862

Comment by Rusty James — November 29, 2008
At least people are saying that the movie Twilight is better than the book! I have to doubt it, they are just different things. Different languages i guess! What do you all think?

Comment by Alecsander — November 29, 2008
There are very few instances where the movie is better than the book. At least in my opinion. Books generally delve into their minds of the characters and develop them far more, which makes them far more interesting.

I haven’t read Twilight though, so I don’t know!

Comment by Jonathan B. — November 29, 2008

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Review: Twilight

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