In the summer of 2003, Stephenie Meyer had a curious dream. In it, two young people lounged in the middle of a gorgeous meadow, discussing the difficulties of their unusual yet deeply committed relationship. One was an average girl. The other was ridiculously gorgeous and sparkled in the sunlight - and oh yeah, he was a vampire. After waking up, Meyer dashed to her computer and began to feverishly type. Three months and nearly 500 pages later, "Twilight" was born.
Today, Meyer's tale of forbidden love, teenage angst and, yes, vampires, has blossomed into a four-book series, sold more than 17 million copies worldwide and developed a rabid following. This ardor was especially evident Nov. 21, when the long-anticipated movie adaptation of "Twilight" first graced the silver screen.
At the Lakeville 21 movie theatre, a line stretched the length of the cinema, waiting behind a sign that announced: "Line for 7:30 showing of 'Twilight.'" It was 6 p.m. The moviegoers - mostly teenage girls and their mothers - fidgeted and kept up a constant stream of giggling. Several wore T-shirts emblazoned with the pallid faces of the film's bloodsucking stars.
Plot purists have little to fear in the film adaptation of Twilight. For the most part, the film remains faithful to the content of the book. After her mother remarries, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), an average high school junior, decides to move to Forks, Wash. and live with her father, Charlie (Billy Burke). While still settling in at her new school, Bella becomes smitten with the brooding, dazzlingly handsome Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson).
However, after a freak accident in the school parking lot, it becomes clear that Edward is hiding more than the secret to his fantastically coiffed hair. A Google search and a trip to the bookstore confirm Bella's suspicions: Edward is a vampire. Surprisingly, Bella is not deterred, and the pair begins a love affair rife with pregnant glances and little physical contact.
While fans of the book will most likely be enthralled with the visual manifestations of their favorite scenes (the car crash, the ballet studio, the meadow), those unfamiliar with the material may find themselves scratching their heads.
Rushing to include all the moments that fans adore, the film occasionally neglects to explain the significance of those moments to those not in the know. An example of this is seen after Edward reveals his vampire nature to Bella. Declaring that she needs to see him in sunlight, he abruptly whisks her up the mountain. He then steps boldly into the light, revealing that he … sparkles. Um, cool, but what?
What the film lacks in explanation, it more than makes up for in sexual tension. Pattinson's repressed desire shudders in his speech and burns through his golden eyes. Stewart, though never quite able to infuse her lines with effusive affection, establishes a strong chemistry with her subtle looks and body language. Coupled with a plethora of super-close-ups, the pair's interactions are a veritable swoon fest for hopeless romantics and girls 16-and-under.
Despite the undeniable sizzle between the film's two protagonists, the romance of "Twilight" causes several eye rolls - largely thanks to the dialogue. Though not nearly as schmaltzy as its source material, "Twilight" nevertheless suffers from frequent attacks of the mush monster. The actors, especially Stewart, seem to realize when their lines cross from sentimental to cheesy and often try to tone down the gooiness.
However, when the book being adapted is known for phrases such as "So the lion fell in love with the lamb," a certain amount of gooey sentiment is inevitable. Non-readers must either embrace the film's saccharine text or reject it entirely.
Love is blind, and the extreme devotion of fans will help close their eyes to the film's flaws. So what if the special effects are hokey at best? So what if some of the vampires look like they stole Queen Elizabeth's white face paint? All the romance and thrills of the book are intact and as hot as ever.
Viewers not familiar with the series may have difficulty with the plot and dialogue, but if they can stomach the cheese, the remaining steaminess provides an enjoyable two hours of romantic escapism.
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