Too many posts in too little time, I feel like such a spammer...

[kaydeefalls]

I've noticed three main issues people have had with TTT. They're interesting, because I wasn't offended by any of them.

1. Faramir.
Everyone seems to hate what PJ did to his character. I can certainly see where the anti-movie!Faramir people are coming from. This is a huge departure from the books. But I like this Faramir a lot better. Frankly, book!Faramir bored the hell out of me. He was one case where the black-and-white nature of good vs. evil was a bit too strong. No one should be allowed to be that good. His character was completely flawless, and pure-as-driven-snow characterization has always annoyed me. Why SHOULD he automatically be on Frodo's side, anyway? He's only human. The Ring ought to have the same affect on him as on anyone else. I just think movie!Faramir is more realistic. My biggest problem with PJ's Faramir is that he didn't have ENOUGH screentime -- we didn't see quite enough of his motivations, and his sudden change of heart was TOO sudden. But I'm glad he's a conflicted character.

2. The ending.
THIS is why I love spoilers. Because I've known for several months that Shelob has been booted to RotK. If I hadn't known that, I would've probably been just as hideously disappointed by the ending as everyone else. As it is, I've been in a mild state of panic and pessimism over the ending for months. I had a horrid notion that TTT would end exactly the way FotR did, with Frodo and Sam looking out towards Mordor and saying reassuring things to each other. Which, in a way, IS how it ends -- but the Gollum bit makes all the difference in the world. The original Shelob cliffhanger would have absolutely killed me. I wouldn't be able to watch that scene over and over again, knowing that there would be twelve months before any resolution. Torture, absolute torture, worse than having Merry and Pippin carted off by Uruk-hai (and Lydia can tell you all the effect THAT had on me, every single viewing). But Gollum's dark little twisted monologue? Fucking perfect, that. Dark and menacing and with just enough hinting at RotK to keep newbies intrigued and cause book fans to writhe in their seats and beg for more. Except, apparently I'm one of very few book fans who appreciate it. Oh, well.

3. The Frodo/Sam relationship.
I will not be long-winded on this. Just, did I want to see more touching/cuddling/shagging? Well, yes, of course. But their dynamic was brilliant all the same. You always end up hurting the one you love most, don't you? And once Frodo pulls Sting on Sam -- come on, whose heart DIDN'T break at the expression on Sam's face? Frodo's realization of what he'd just done was perfect as well. No huggy-kissy apologies, just stunned horror at himself: "I don't think I can do this anymore..." That just WORKED for me.

Look, I certainly had my problems with TTT. But not these. And it's very interesting to hear others' opinions on them, even though most people disagree with me...

Incidentally, am I the only one who doesn't think Frodo is offering the Ring to the Nazgul, in Osgiliath? I thought he was about to claim it for himself, actually, with some excellently creepy Mount Doom foreshadowing. But I could very well be wrong. Must go see film again to be sure. ;)

Comments

[troisroyaumes]

I agree with everything you said (including Frodo about to claim the Ring at Osgiliath) except for the Faramir bit. Am I the only person who liked book!Faramir? I mean, personally, I identified a lot with him. He's NOT a goody-two-shoes, at least not in my opinion. He's read a lot and has been taught by Gandalf--he *knows* what's the right thing to do and he does it. And I think he's a pretty interesting character, from what tidbits Tolkien drops. His father doesn't like him because he's too much like Denethor, not like macho old Boromir marching off to do stupid things. He's too careful, too cautious, too likely to become like Denethor, a bitter old man sitting on the Steward's seat, forced into despair by his knowledge.

And in the movie, he's just stupid. Conflicted, perhaps, but stupid. Argh.

...Tari

Re:

[kaydeefalls.livejournal.com]

I don't think he's less intelligent in the movie. Intelligent people can still be seduced by the ring. That's part of its cruel intrigue: that innately good people can still be corrupted. Anyway, I think Faramir's main problem here was editing. I've heard of several other scenes examining his motivations which were cut from the movie. Hopefully, they'll make their way back into the Extended DVD.