Twilight: Eclipse

Ask a die-hard Twilight fan what they think of the series and they’ll say it’s the best thing since sliced bread.  Ask a less blinkered viewer and you may receive an answer loaded with ambivalence.  No two opinions are the same, although both hold no sway when it comes to its fanatical following.  Millions will see it no matter its quality, even if its’ terribly old fashioned ideals see it fade into the ether of antiquity.  Serving up another helping of forlorn looks and shirtless heart-throbs, Twilight: Eclipse often resembles a Goth version of one of Barbara Cartland’s over-ripe romantic pot-boilers.
 

Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) has a decision to make.  Although attracted to Jacob (Taylor Lautner), a member of a werewolf clan, she still passionately loves vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson).  Smitten with the blood-sucker, she must choose to join his clan by becoming just like him.  With this potential for rivalry between werewolf and vampire, amongst the fray enters Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard), a vampire with black vengeance on her mind.  Creating trouble and vowing to kill Bella, Victoria’s machinations lead to a surprising alliance where the battle for hearts and minds equals the passion raging between the star-crossed lovers.
 

“A latter day Mills & Boon”, “another Romeo and Juliet” – both quotes wouldn’t look out of place in describing this series.  Borrowing heavily from the old love triangle romances which have given life to stories for centuries, the Twilight franchise has made a bucket of cash out of ancient ideas.  Eclipse isn’t any different with its crude contrivances endlessly highlighting the angst between Bella, Edward and Jacob.  Making this rather boring angle interesting this time around is David Slade’s direction.  Gamely attempting to bring a fresh, humorous slant with this third entry, Slade almost succeeds in generating some tension from its screenplay.  His exploration of their familial backgrounds gives weight to the simple narrative with some action scenes enlivening an otherwise pedestrian outing.
 

It’s incredible how the leads have turned into cult icons, as their performances are appallingly lifeless.  No passion or genuine emotion is shown with a stilted dialogue delivery which would be unacceptable elsewhere.  Admittedly they all look very pretty as the vampire/werewolf pack pout in their designer clothes but their limited range prevents any investment into their characters.  Hardly any surprise as Eclipse’s overall stab at characterisation is thrown away in a bid to push the story to its over-drawn conclusion.  Unfortunately even when the end is reached its cliff-hanger elements leave events hanging for the next instalment, where in reality this five film series could easily have been compacted into two potentially more exciting movies. 
 

Twilight: Eclipse once again proves you can make the most vanilla of franchises look like a feast.  Whilst its action sequences and additions to the mythology are interesting, the rest is a feeble plod through a catalogue of romantic clichés.    It should suffice for long-time fans although others should be warned that once this series ends another will take its place to capture the minds of teens in search of new stars to worship.
 

Rating out of 10:  4

Letters to Juliet

Engaged to restaurateur Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal), Sophia (Amanda Seyfried) arrives in Verona Italy, the setting for Romeo and Juliet, for a holiday.  More interested in recipes than romance, he leaves her feeling deserted.  Bored she meets a group of women who respond to letters from those seeking advice on love.  Joining them, she discovers an old letter from Claire (Vanessa Redgrave).  Reading about her search for a lost love, she sends a heartfelt reply.  After receiving it, Claire leaves for Italy with her Grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan) who holds the key to Sophia’s future as she becomes intoxicated by Italy’s seductive allure.

Despite the contrived nature of events and a far fetched premise, Letters to Juliet manages not to be a total waste of time.  This can be put solely on the chemistry of those involved despite an old fashioned script just about passing muster.  When the Italian locals speak perfect English, you know you’re in pure fantasy-land.  One shouldn’t take it too seriously as after a rather clunky opening it gradually settles into its ’searching for love’ narrative quite well.  The scenery is a feast for the eyes as it isn’t too difficult to make Italy look so good as it papers over the screenplay’s more implausible moments.

The message of seizing chances as they arrive is interwoven well with Claire’s search. Bringing together her Grandson and Sophia in her quest, her mischievous match-making hides her pain of missed opportunities. With an actress of Vanessa Redgrave’s standing her seemingly one dimensional role is given an added touch of poignancy.  Complimented by Seyfried and Egan’s appealing presence, the film plays more of an ensemble piece than predominantly focussed on the leads. 

If you don’t like romantic comedies then Letters to Juliet won’t change your view.  It’s corny in the extreme and fluffy as you’d expect any over-ripe yarn to be.  However the enthusiasm of the cast and the great Italian vistas manage to make it more bearable than others of its rose tinted ilk.

Rating out of 10:  5

Comments (0)

  Next »