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Action and Heartbreak, Not Romance, the Focal Point of "New Moon"
Christa Banister
Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
Release Date: November 20, 2009
Rating: PG-13 (for some violence and action)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Adaptation
Run Time: 130 min.
Director: Chris Weitz
Actors: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke, Anna Kendrick, Ashley Greene, Michael Welch, Justin Chon, Christian Serratos, Jackson Rathbone, Cam Gigandet, Michael Sheen, Rachelle Lefevre, Nikki Reed, Peter Facinelli
With a strikingly different tone than its swoony, spooky counterpart Twilight, New Moon actually answers the age-old question that most romantic comedy scripts never have the opportunity to: What happens after the girl actually lands the man—or in this case, vampire—of her dreams?
Turns out, for Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), it's not exactly the happily-ever-after ending that she was probably hoping for. On the eve of turning 18, she's smack dab in the middle of a quarter-life crisis that's unfortunately arrived seven years too early. See, this is the first time she's going to be older than her forever young beau, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). And considering how sparkly and beautiful he is in the sunlight, not to mention easy on the eyes when it's dark, she isn't sure he's still going to love her when she's old and wrinkly.
Of course, Edward hasn't provided any indication that his love would ever waver, but Bella is still freaking out (in that sulky, moody way that she always does, mind you). In fact, instead of actually enjoying how everyone is doting on her, she'd prefer not celebrating her birthday at all. And given what happens next, well, that could've been a far better option.
When opening a present from Edward's family, the girl known for being accident-prone gets a seemingly innocuous paper cut, which sends Jasper's (Jackson Rathbone) thirst for human blood (he was the newest "vegetarian" the last time around, remember?) into overdrive. Just as Jasper is about to attack her, Edward intervenes and has a pretty important epiphany in the process: As much as he loves her, Bella simply doesn't belong in a vampire's world. Plus, the suspicions around Forks, the small Washington town where the story takes place, about Edward's father Dr. Cullen (Peter Facinelli) never really aging is yet another compelling reason for the family to consider skipping town.
So in the interest of protecting Bella, Edward does the hardest thing imaginable: He not only breaks up with her, but warns her that this is the last time she'll ever see him. As expected, this doesn't exactly sit well with Bella, who heartbreakingly pleads and pleads for Edward to change his mind. But with stony resolve, Edward sticks with his plan and flees before Bella has a chance to catch up.
Most Recent User Comments
danielle24
12/13/2009 7:09 PM
Wow, so sorry for my many repeat posts! I was editing and didn't realize that each time the article was being posted anew! Anyone know how to delete posts?
danielle24
12/13/2009 7:05 PM
I like that there aren't many explanations for why Bella and Edward love each other. In following with the story's allusion to Romeo and Juliet, I prefer the theme of predestination as the qualifier for their love. Bella seems predestined to be loved by a nonhuman entity because she has unnatural immunities to their powers. It's that age-old theme of fate.
Sometimes I get tired of culture's repeated theme to be better and to earn love. It's a breath of fresh air to be told a story in which someone is loved--yes romantically loved--because God created them as the person they are. And in real romantic relationships love oftentimes does feel undeserved. How can we deserve something so wonderful? And besides it's not like Bella is a bad person or anything. It may not work for all stories, but I think for this love story predestination isn't so out of place or even shallow as some think. Undeserved love, grace as the Bible calls it, is refreshing sometimes.
Sometimes I get tired of culture's repeated theme to be better and to earn love. It's a breath of fresh air to be told a story in which someone is loved--yes romantically loved--because God created them as the person they are. And in real romantic relationships love oftentimes does feel undeserved. How can we deserve something so wonderful? And besides it's not like Bella is a bad person or anything. It may not work for all stories, but I think for this love story predestination isn't so out of place or even shallow as some think. Undeserved love, grace as the Bible calls it, is refreshing sometimes.
danielle24
12/13/2009 7:02 PM
I like that there aren't many explanations for why Bella and Edward love each other. In following with the story's allusion to Romeo and Juliet, I prefer the theme of predestination as the qualifier for their love. Bella seems predestined to be loved by a nonhuman entity because she has unnatural immunities to their powers. It's that age-old theme of fate.
Sometimes I get tired of culture's repeated theme to be better and to earn love. It's a breath of fresh air to be told a story in which someone is loved--yes romantically loved--because God created them as the person they are. And in real relationships love oftentimes does feel undeserved. And besides it's not like Bella is a bad person or anything. It may not work for all stories, but I think for this love story predestination isn't so out of place or even shallow as some think. Undeserved love, grace as the Bible calls it, is refreshing sometimes.
Sometimes I get tired of culture's repeated theme to be better and to earn love. It's a breath of fresh air to be told a story in which someone is loved--yes romantically loved--because God created them as the person they are. And in real relationships love oftentimes does feel undeserved. And besides it's not like Bella is a bad person or anything. It may not work for all stories, but I think for this love story predestination isn't so out of place or even shallow as some think. Undeserved love, grace as the Bible calls it, is refreshing sometimes.
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