Twilight Movie True to Book, Teen Anthem

Twilight has the potential to be the kind of teen anthem that Rebel Without a Cause was in the 50s or what Sixteen Candles and Say Anything was in the 80s. The dialogue between the main characters is intense, smart and plays up the fact that some teenagers are “old souls” (some more than others). What really gets teens reeled in is the fact that, not unlike Say Anything’s Lloyd Dobler and Diane Court, characters Bella Swan and Edward Cullen are love’s underdogs. 

Robert Pattinson, the British male lead who plays Edward Cullen, could surely be the 21^st century James Dean for teenagers – if James Dean was reincarnated as a vampire. When I watched a 5:30 p.m. showing of the movie on Saturday, an entire row of teenage girls sat in front of me, glued to the immortal, because of what I assume every teenage girl is attracted to – the unobtainable, gorgeous, brooding boy across the cafeteria. Pattinson is the master of facial expression and fervor, as he looks pained and scared when he finally kisses co-star Kristen Stewart (Prior to the kiss, anticipation is the name of the game; with that kiss, he's afraid he'll become carried away and give into his killing nature). He’s continually injured as he discusses with the woman he loves the internal battle a vampire must face in order to avoid the monster within him that lusts for blood, though he loves her and wants to keep her safe. But the girls shouldn't worry -- there will be plenty of moments to squeal with delight (as the girls in front of me did) the times he smiles. 

Though the news indicates that rapid teenage girls are flocking to Pattinson’s press events (hundreds of which showed up to a California mall event, trampled other girls and got the event cancelled), those with this modern Beatle Mania-sort of frenzy over the books, movie and merchandise should not forget who has top billing. Twilight is Bella’s story, and Bella is played by 18-year-old Kristen Stewart.  Stewart masterfully portrays the character in a way that epitomizes the unrepresented teenage girl. Bella is not a supermodel; she’s not the richest, the most popular, the most athletic or the prom queen. Instead, the leading lady is smart, stubborn, driven and sure of what she wants. She is selfless, confident and reminds audiences of all ages what passion and love are like when you feel it for the first time and you refuse to give in until it is yours.  
 
There were very few things about the movie which can be picked apart by adoring Twilight fans. One is that not every scene is depicted as it is in the book. However, avid readers must understand what it takes to make a 400 to 500 page book fit into a two-hour movie. Scenes just have to be combined at times. I also expect that fans will have some qualms if they’re “Team Jacob” fans, since the scenes with Taylor Lautner are brief. The only thing that is surprising was the choice for character Mike Newton, as the book depicts Mike Newton as the “it” (human) guy at the high school, but audiences didn’t seem to pay him any attention in comparison to the dreamy, undead Cullens across the lunchroom. 

For Twilight fans, the movie might be as close to the book as it’s going to get. As an English teacher, the thing I can appreciate most about the teenage audience is that they’ve actually read the books and laugh when they recognize the dialogue or when the lead character falls (Bella is clearly a klutz in the book).  
 
Audiences should also expect some pleasant surprises. In the second café scene (just after Bella speaks to Mike Newton), look for Twilight saga author, Stephenie Meyer to be at the lunch counter with her laptop. In addition, the movie is sprinkled with dry humor that audiences will appreciate – such as Bella’s father, the chief of police, cleaning his gun when his daughter’s boyfriend comes to pick her up for a date or how Edward laughs at Bella for telling him to put on his seatbelt. The most pleasant surprise, however, may be the soundtrack. My favorite tracks were performed by from Paramore (Decode), Iron & Wine (Flightless Bird, Amercian Mouth) and even Robert Pattinson (during the scene where Bella has been attacked by James and has her flashback, Pattison belts out "Let Me Sign").

All in all, the movie is true to the book and gives audiences a two-hour glimpse of what we all want – a love that lasts for all time.

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