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A pale and perfect gentleman. No wonder this lady loves the vamp
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
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The Vatican has said that Twilight is a "deviant" film. Well, I've read the book and I've seen the film and I truly loved and enjoyed both of them. So I must be a bit of a deviant myself.
Actually, in the cultural world of Twilight, I am what is now referred to as a 'Twilight Mom'. I know I'm far too old to fancy pale vampire Robert Pattinson - but I fancy him like mad anyway.
Thankfully I'm wise enough not to get obsessed by the poor guy. He's already reluctant to travel by bus anymore in case he gets mobbed by hysterical fans.
Stephenie Meyer's novel Twilight was so beautifully written it took my breath away. The styling and prose were word-perfect; the attention to detail was reminiscent of the great Victorian novels.
Twilight contains no swearing, drinking, vulgarity, gratuitous violence or gratuitous scenes of a sexual nature. In fact, the erotic charge in the story comes from sexual abstinence, which is arguably the basis of all great Gothic literature.
In Victorian times grieving widows dressed entirely in black and were obliged to remove themselves from the social scene entirely for quite a long time after a bereavement. Hence the powerfully erotic notion of beautiful women shrouded in black and pining away in an attic room somewhere.
In Twilight, the American teenagers wear normal everyday clothes, but they still live pretty pure lives.
I think Twilight actually heralds a return to old-fashioned romance and courtship, where just holding hands is considered a huge sign of devotion and commitment. I'm certainly not worried about the effect the film could have on vulnerable or excitable teenagers.
And I definitely don't think it will lead some teens to experiment with 'the occult'. The vampires in Stephenie Meyer's novels have no obvious connection with the Devil (as understood in the Christian Bible) at all.
No, the reason so many teenage girls adore Twilight and everything about it, is precisely because Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson) could easily 'devour' Bella (Kristen Stewart), but he chooses not to because he loves her. He goes out of his way to protect her, over and over again.
Edward saves Bella from a car accident, from a bunch of horrible thugs and from another group of vampires who would happily have killed her. So Edward represents all the good things about love: he's a protector and a mentor and a friend.
All of Edward's and Bella's emotions are explored in obsessive detail, which is something that young girls do almost automatically. They are hard-wired to over-analyse. They can spend days thinking about one comment or facial expression. So the detail in the novel and in the film is right up their street.
Personally, I think the Twilight series of books and films could be the saviour of youth culture. Nowhere do we see over-groomed teens being cruel to one another. People live ordinary lives, in ordinary houses, in ordinary towns.
The young people of Forks (the town where the novel is set) go to an ordinary school, wearing ordinary clothes. Instead of complicated, underage relationships they have snowball fights and chemistry lessons.
Thoughtful Bella cooks dinner every evening for her divorced police officer father. And he buys her an old truck so she won't have to walk to school in the rain. They have a lovely, if low-key, father-daughter dynamic.
Edward Cullen - as well as being possibly the best-looking male on the planet right now - is polite and cultured and wise and mature. He comes from a close family where his adopted father is the town doctor. Now, what's the matter with any of that? I really can't see what all the fuss is about. Unless the Vatican representative hasn't read the book or seen the film and is possibly confusing Twilight with other, more explicit, vampire franchises. But really, if anyone hasn't read the book, they shouldn't rush to judge. It's a harmless fantasy: that's all.
Wouldn't most girls (of all ages) love a drop-dead gorgeous man to just come along and sweep them off their feet? And pay attention to their every thought, worry, emotion and desire?
And behave beautifully? And observe the old-fashioned tradition of a slow and respectful courtship, with hand-holding and tender kisses? And no pressure to 'go all the way' before marriage? Sounds all right to this particular Twilight Mom . . .
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Thank you Sharon Owens. I totally agree with everything you have said. I too am a Twilight Mom and love Edward Cullen for being the perfect gentleman! I also love the fact that even though he is older, wiser, stronger, and faster than Bella, in some instances she gives him a run for his money and ultimately is stronger than Edward! Bella is by no means the little damsel in distress needing a man! He needs her more!
Posted by Cassie Smith | 01.12.09, 17:02 GMT
Oh, for goodness sake. Bring back the real vampires!
What with a sequel to 30 Days of Night being made and the soon-to-be-released Daybreakers, hopefully we'll get to see proper bloodsuckers as they should be. Hopefully sometime soon we'll hear an announcement for the film adaptation of Guillermo Del Toro's excellent novel The Strain as part 1 of a trilogy.
Enough of the emos already.
While we're at it, I can guarantee that Benicio Del Toro's Wolfman will beat any of the cute, cuddly puppies from the last film.
Posted by Ulysses32 | 27.11.09, 16:02 GMT
just a girl-your fantasy describes me to a tee except being bitten with dentures probable shatters the image.lol. sharon-thanks for the nice reply .my original comment was a lame attempt to stir things up,my married son and son in law come to me pulling their hair out thinking with my 40 years (that includes the wind chill factor)experience being married to the same lady i should have the answer what is it with women.?"sorry lads cannot help you with that one just keep hugging and saying "yes dear"to those aliens from the planet venus hope it works out for you"is romance dead probable not,just with todays pressures
on young people they dont have the same time to work at it.
Posted by Robert | 26.11.09, 22:56 GMT
Robert - speaking as a happily single 27 year old, all i want is a gorgeous, immortal, cold, silver volvo owner, who sparkles in the sun, and bites me. Dang it Edward, why can't you be real!??
Posted by Just a Girl | 26.11.09, 12:58 GMT
Couldn't agree more Sharon! I love the Twilight boks and movies. I can't wait for the third movie to hit the cinema's (June 2010). If you havne't read the books, i don't feel you can judge here. The movies alone are not enough to go by. The story is of innocent first love and the intensity of that first overpowering feeling that you can't live without someone, with the added backdrop of vampires and werewolves. Whats not to love?
Posted by Just a Girl | 26.11.09, 12:55 GMT
Dear Vicki,
I am not a Catholic. Thanks for your comment.
Dear Robert,
I am happily wed and an incurable romantic but I think that many people (girls, boys, men and women) no longer believe in true love. I know unhappy married people. I also know single people who are unhappy.
Perhaps some people are just generally unhappy in 2009?
Some reviewers have said Bella is an anti-feminist because she pines so much for Edward. Well yes, of course she does, she's only 17 with a very innocent personality!!!
What do women want? Who knows? I'm happy with a good man, a small family, and a part-time job. I'm not obsessed with my looks either.
Thanks for your comments - your question may inspire a column one day soon...
Posted by Sharon Owens | 26.11.09, 09:02 GMT
If the Vatican's opinion does not count with you, you are not a Catholic.
Shame on you!
Posted by Vicki Corsey | 26.11.09, 01:26 GMT
You are spot on. Reading the book is very refreshing for me cos of the absence of violence, swearing and vulgarity. It's pure and felt real. Everyday girl with an everyday life just like the rest of us with a fantasy of meeting the perfect gentleman. Love the way the series were written, the movie twilght and am excited to watch new moon today
Posted by mai | 26.11.09, 00:00 GMT
i am confused,a female reviewer from the new york times found this movie degrading to young modern girls,begs the old question what do women want?
Posted by robert Martin | 25.11.09, 19:59 GMT
The reason for the high moral standards in this series of novels is because the author is a "Mormon" (or a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints). The Mormon religion preaches abstinence from alcohol, drugs and pre-marital sex and has a strong family focus so it is no surprise that the author has chosen to carry these standards over into her writing. Fair play to her I say, as the world could definately use more advocates for clean living.
Posted by Wolfen | 25.11.09, 16:12 GMT
Beautifully stated! I am a "twi-mom", myself, and I could not agree more with what you have said. People should become informed before they make up their minds about something!
Posted by Stacy | 25.11.09, 15:51 GMT