Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Billy Burke
‘An Astonishing Adaptation’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have made a legacy as strong as Kristen Stewart. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 2000’s, Stewart has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s lovers of vampires, Royal figures or personal shoppers, the actress has portrayed many larger than life characters. Arguably, Stewart’s finest strength as an actress is her bold commitment towards her craft. She is one of those rare movie-stars that has always poured her heart and soul into every single role. Even when a movie isn’t good to begin with, she has always stood as a bright spot of it. Although she is most well-known for her icon role in the Twilight franchise, Stewart has proven that she can thrive making movies in every genre. An actress that has managed to accomplish great feats, Stewart has been a celebrated icon that audiences cherish. By her abilities to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, Stewart he created a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout her lasting career, Stewart has made several memorable movies which are definitely without any doubt worth seeing.
I’m a big fan of Stewart and adore all the films that she had produced in her career. However, “Twilight” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2008, Catherine Hardwicke’s film has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with bold production-design, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Kristen Stewart, who portrays a woman that falls in love with a vampire in a doomed affair. Although “Twilight” is a strong adaptation of a beloved book, ultimately it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, and lacks the compelling character development of the book. Nevertheless, it provides entertainment fans of the beloved vampire book series won’t be able to resist.
Based on the beloved book, “Twilight” tells the story of a teenage girl that falls in love with a vampire that’s bright. Kristen Stewart portrays Bella Swan, a teen girl that seeks to discover her identity in a small town. Bella has always gotten along well among classmates in school. However, Bella’s life forever changes when she falls madly in love with a frightening vampire. Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) is a vampire with mysterious intentions whose personal life is a mystery. Despite Edward’s cautions for her to stay away from him, Bella can’t help but be drawn to allure of a vampire that’s undeniably attractive. As Bella discovers dangers endured by vampires, she questions whether she could ever find love in her broken town. Faced with a dilemma, Bella questions whether she would ever be able to find happiness in a town which causes trauma.
Catharine Hardwicke is a newcomer towards stories of vampires. Before she had directed “Twilight”, Hardwicke had never made a film about vampires before. A female filmmaker, Hardwicke was known for producing movies about women with odds stacked against their favour. With “Twilight”, however, Hardwicke created her first vampire adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a renowned book about vampire lovers, but she succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Hardwicke captures a woman that develops a strong bond with a vampire causing tragedy. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as beautiful as Edward’s eyes. Hardwicke deftly uses handheld camerawork to capture strong bonds between vampires and women. For instance, handled camerawork enhances the car accident scene. During this memorable scene, Bella is rescued from a car accident by Edward in a situation causing a dilemma. One appreciates handheld camerawork capturing tensions teenage girls are enduring. Handheld camerawork is a complex technique to use in movies. As Paul Greengrass’ “Captain Phillips” suggested, handheld cinematography elevates films about hijackings. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through captivating cinematography, Hardwicke captures tension women falling in love with vampires are often facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Twilight” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well-made. Hardwicke deftly uses production-design to capture towns where vampires shine. Throughout the film, the small town of Pacific Northwest plays an essential role in this movie. Hardwicke’s decision to shoot the movie in a real-life town is risky but it works tremendously in this movie. For instance, the location of the small town elevates the legends scene. During this memorable scene, Bella learns about the harsh realities of the town where wolves once lived from Jacob. One appreciates the small-town setting showcasing hardship that women are facing. Through this authentic small-town setting, Hardwicke captures the tensions that women falling in love with vampires are facing. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Carter Burrell’s music is essential towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which vampires bear. Through powerful production-design, Hardwicke captures the lives of commemorated teens facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Twilight” is a classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses voice-over narration to capture the lives of vampires facing tension. For instance, voice-over narration enhances the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Bella recounts her experience of moving to a small town in a neighbourhood. One appreciates voice over narration capturing the lives of teenage girls falling in love with vampires that face tension. Through this ingenious voice over narration, Hardwicke captures the tensions vampires in a small town are facing. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” suggested, narration elevates classic movies about dark gangsters. Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” suggested narration enhances adaptations of renowned books. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, the filmmaker captures the tension experienced by vampires facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Kristen Stewart delivers one of her best career performances as Bella. Stewart first achieved appreciation for playing teen girls trapped in an isolated room. With “Twilight”, however, she took on her most challenging role. It isn’t easy to play a woman that falls in love with a dark vampire, but she succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most iconic role. Its a role that gave the actress the chance to showcase her strength for playing emotionally conflicted women. With stunning expressions, she captures the angst, bravery and resentments of a woman that falls in love with a vampire causing tragedy. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actresses working today.
Robert Pattinson is phenomenal in the role of a vampire that falls in love with a human causing tension. Pattinson has always had an aptitude for playing conflicted men facing tension, and “Twilight” showcased his strength as an actor. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his talent for playing disturbed men. Whether he’s staring lustfully at Bella in their class together or seeking to fight vampires, the actor expertly uses his body language to craft a vampire that’s compelling, it’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors that is currently working in the modern film industry today.
Finally, “Twilight” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the obstacles teenage boys fight. Unlike most films about vampires, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes including family, identity and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the beloved book to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Twilight” is one of those rare movies about vampires everyone would adore.
Although “Twilight” is undeniably a captivating literature adaptation, it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a minor drawback to the film, it suffers from uneven pacing. Hardwicke’s decisions to integrate subplots about Native Americans in the movie is bold but doesn’t entirely succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing Jacob’s interactions with his tribes aren’t quite as engaging as Bella’s journey to find identity. Moreover, the film lacks strong character development. For instance, we barely get to know Jacob and his clan of wolves. The book did a great job of giving these characters rich backstories which are largely missing from the film. The film may have benefitted from an extended length giving such characters more opportunities to shine. Therefore, “Twilight” falls way short of the high standards that is set by its far superior source material.
Nevertheless, fans of Kristen Stewart would appreciate “Twilight” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting adaptation of a vampire book, it honours an actress that is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about terrifying vampires falling in love with girls in small towns that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters with strong personalities which are compelling in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 