Forever Young

Rating: 8/10 (23 November 2008)

The darkly charismatic Robert Pattinson who plays Edward confesses to Kristen Stewart's Bella, " What if I'm not the hero?" The captivated Bella has done the vampire math: Edward is incredibly strong and fast, and his pale skin is icy to the touch. 17 year-old Bella Swan is falling in love with 17 year-old Edward Cullen, who has been 17 years old for a very long time. In fact Edward is immortal, a vampire who may have found his soul mate in Bella. Edward can read everyone's mind except for Bella, perhaps fate. The noble Edward must resist his own powerful natural instincts condemning his beloved Bella to the life of a monster. However, innocent Bella invites this transformation saying, "I dream about being with you forever." This is the world of yearning and suffering in Director Catherine Hardwicke's "Twilight".
"Twilight" is based on the first novel of the bestselling tween vampire series by Stephenie Meyer. Melissa Rosenberg wrote the screenplay for the Meyer book. Apparently Rosenberg's screenplay is loyal to the book which may be paradoxically a mixed blessing. Pattison and Stewart authentically enroll us in this Gothic world with their powerful performances. However, some of the dialogue borders on cheesy. This is really just an observation, and an artifact of the novel's adaptation. When Edward reveals the amazing secret of vampires in sunlight, Bella is entranced. Edward reminds, "I'm a killer!" In the climactic battle between Edward and the powerful malevolent James (commanding and strong Cam Gigandet), he screams, "I'm strong enough to kill you!"
Surprisingly, "Twilight" works as a moving Gothic love story of yearning and eternal love. Yes, we are talking teen love story in the world of modern day vampires. Ultimately, Pattinson and Stewart elevate the story and the movie. Stewart is an amazing young actress. She conveys a vulnerability, strength, keen intelligence, and accessible loneliness. As Bella she displays a quiet beauty and trust. Robert Pattinson is going to be a big star. As Edward he embodies a brooding and charismatic presence reminiscent of James Dean. Pattinson also possesses a natural lightness that balances the suffering of his character. Together Pattinson and Stewart have a palpable and electric chemistry which drives "Twilight".
Bella (Stewart) is a lonely teenage girl from Phoenix, who chooses to come to live with her Dad Charlie Swan (solid and concerned Billy Burke) in a small town in Washington, when her Mom decides to go on the road with new minor league ball player husband. Charlie is a sheriff in the town. Bella meets her Dad's friends Billy and Jacob Black (Gil Birmingham and Taylor Lauter). Being the new kid at school, Bella gradually settles in. She soon encounters the mysterious Cullen's. Apparently, they are the adopted children of Dr. Carlisle Cullen (cool Peter Facinelli), who lives in a mansion on the fringe of the county. Bella finds herself strangely drawn to the sullen Edward (Pattinson). One day Edward displays amazing physical prowess when he saves Bella from certain death. Bella thanks Edward, and questions who he really is. Edward dismisses all as an adrenaline rush, and warns her to stay away. Bella is determined to uncover the truth.
Jacob (Lauter), who secretly is in love with Bella, tells her of an Indian legend surrounding his family and the Cullen's shrouded in the supernatural. The Cullen's are sort of "vegetarian" vampires, surviving only on the blood of animals—not humans. Edward is falling in love with Bella, and suffers with his instinctive blood lust. He can not allow himself to destroy the object of his love. His turmoil abounds when the human blood lusting vampires arrive: James, Laurent, and Victoria (Gigandet, Edi Gathegi, and Rochelle Lefevre). They and James in particular will kill humans to satisfy their blood hunger. Edward must protect Bella from James, and ultimately from himself.
Catherine Hardwicke orchestrates the furious action and Gothic love story with engrossing style and passion. "Twilight" has a slick and stunning visual style. Granted in a modern vampire tale, vampires are beautiful with killer abs, and haunting consciences. But then again, that is just the deal. Robert Pattison and Kristen Stewart are powerful and compelling, and we care about their characters and "Twilight" as a whole.