She Loves Someone Else

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2010)

When Sting performed with The Royal Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl, he said in his experience there are two kinds of love songs. There is "I love you, and you love me."—very circular. Then there is "I love you, and you love someone else." –which is the more interesting. "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" aligns with the latter. In "Eclipse" vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner) protect their beloved Bella (Kristen Stewart) from merciless "Newborn" Riley (charismatic Xavier Samuel), who means to kill her with his powerful army of vampire. Edward and Jacob, literally mortal enemies by blood, are both in love with Bella. Bella must choose, reconcile her own heart, and her future as human or soulless immortal.
In the opening of "Eclipse" Stewart reads Robert Frost's "Fire and Ice" to Pattinson about the end of the world—metaphor for this story arc. "Eclipse" is not as eloquent as a Sting love song, and under the orchestration of Director David Slade and Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg (adapting Stephanie Meyer's novel) is captivating action packed melodrama. Granted I am not a fan of the books or the demographic. "Eclipse" is much better than "New Moon". The tone is darker, and enhanced by Howard Shore's score. This time around Slade and Rosenberg infuse a sense of humor about their material. In one scene Edward asks regarding shredded werewolf Jacob, "Does he ever wear a shirt?" Although at times the dialogue seems as awkward as a George Lucas movie—this may have more to do with the source material? In a tent on an icy night atop a mountain, Edward (Pattinson) and Jacob (Lautner) talk man to man about their profound love for Bella—each risking their life. Jacob asks Edward what if Bella chooses not to be with him. Edward says, "Then I will let her go." Jacob ends with a cute comment instead of acknowledging a mutual respect. Beholding to Meyer's material frequently keeps the movie from soaring. I think Rosenberg could have refined, matured, and retained the spirit.
Much of "Eclipse" is uneven. Elsewhere Rosenberg and Meyer exact eloquence. With amazing poignancy Rosalie Cullen (sad and beautiful Nikki Reed) implores Bella (Stewart) to reconsider her choice to become vampire—"You are frozen, never moving forward." No possibility. Pattison's Edward pleads with Bella to consider her choice to "turn". He forfeited his very soul, and the paradox that he tells her is, "I will protect your soul". Perhaps, this is the very essence of the vampire vogue. The Vampire is the ultimate existential hero. He is immortal, but by nature destroys the object of his love. He lives forever, and is forever alone. Kristen Stewart as Bella embodies the angst and longing, but I think the narrative fails in underscoring the consequences of her humanity choice. Rosenberg gracefully enlightens the consequences of eternity with the past lives of Rosalie (Reed) and Jasper Hale (amazingly strong Jackson Rathbone). Rathbone is a surprise from the last 2 movies, as he commands as a leader instructing the Cullen's and the Werewolf to combat the powerful Newborn.
The Newborn are newly born vampire with insatiable blood lust and very powerful—stronger than the Cullens. Alice Cullen (stunning and strong Ashley Greene) has a vision of the army of Newborns lead by the Riley (Samuel) coming to kill Bella. However, Riley is a mere puppet of the malevolent Victoria (coldly compelling Bryce Dallas Howard), who seeks vengeance upon Edward (Pattinson)? Also lurking in the shadows is the powerful and calculated Jane (understatedly evil Dakota Fanning) of the omniscient vampire Voltari. Here unlike "New Moon" the catharsis completes with the bloody battle between good and evil with lives and souls in the balance. Pattison is commanding and passionate as Edward transforms into the great hero he is destined. He balances Edward's humanity as he fights for the soul of his eternal love. All culminates in the showdown with Edward, Victoria, and Riley—nice modern mythology.
"Eclipse" is a welcome and satisfying surprise. It is Gothic love story in the midst of the battle of good against great evil, and classic hero story as well. Pattison and Stewart are amazing, and smooth out some of the narrative turbulence. "Eclipse" is well worth seeing, and now I look forward to the next "Twilight".