Focusing mainly on Robert Pattinson's character Edward, I shall consider the similarities and differences between his character and the other vampire characters from my focus films (Eli from 'Let the Right One In' (2008), Nosferatu (1922) and The Lost Boys - 1987), how the other human characters act around them and how and why they have changed or developed over time.
The film Twilight (2008) (directed by Catherine Hardwicke) is a love story between the protagonist Bella and the handsome Edward Cullen. Twilight introduces a new era of vampires who could be classed as 'romantic vegetarians' (as they don't bite people like others have done in the past.) Even though both Twilight (2008) and 'Let the Right One In' (2008) were produced in the same year as well as both being adapted from novels, the have a very different view of what a vampire is like. The vampire characters are very different, Eli (Let the right one in) relies on blood and has the appearance of a 12 year old girl, Edward Cullen (Twilight) is supposedly a 17 year old boy and lives with a clan of other vampires who he considers to be his family.
The first scene in which we see Edward and his 'family' is in the cafeteria, each member of the Cullen family is introduced to protagonist Bella by her new found friend Jessica. The Cullens are able to conform with the rules of society (children in high school) without much suspicion. They seem to keep to themselves at school but manage to live in society (unlike the character Count Orlok in Nosferatu (1922) as he travels on a ship and murders many people provoking suspicion.)
The mise en scene of the film such as 'make up' convey a new era for the vampire, for example when Bella and Edward first speak she notices his eye colour changes from black to light brown, before he has been on a 'trip' with his family (which is inferred as a hunt for food). His characteristics also include the power of speed, cold hands, pale skintone (link with Count Orlok from Nosferatu) and strange reaction to sunlight - he sparkles (which is unlike a vampire character in 'Let the right one in' who bursts into flames).
Author Milly Williamson in her book 'The Lure of the vampire' states that 'we are told to be wary of vampires, some critics remind is that vampires can infect us with their otherness, beguile us with their depraved intimacy and exhaust us with their embraces'. This quote supports the view in the David Cox's article that feminism isn't shown in Twilight (2008), as the main character Bella becomes dependent on Edward. Twilight has become so well established in today's society that senators are discussing the characters in supreme court.
The film Twilight (2008) (directed by Catherine Hardwicke) is a love story between the protagonist Bella and the handsome Edward Cullen. Twilight introduces a new era of vampires who could be classed as 'romantic vegetarians' (as they don't bite people like others have done in the past.) Even though both Twilight (2008) and 'Let the Right One In' (2008) were produced in the same year as well as both being adapted from novels, the have a very different view of what a vampire is like. The vampire characters are very different, Eli (Let the right one in) relies on blood and has the appearance of a 12 year old girl, Edward Cullen (Twilight) is supposedly a 17 year old boy and lives with a clan of other vampires who he considers to be his family.
The first scene in which we see Edward and his 'family' is in the cafeteria, each member of the Cullen family is introduced to protagonist Bella by her new found friend Jessica. The Cullens are able to conform with the rules of society (children in high school) without much suspicion. They seem to keep to themselves at school but manage to live in society (unlike the character Count Orlok in Nosferatu (1922) as he travels on a ship and murders many people provoking suspicion.)
The mise en scene of the film such as 'make up' convey a new era for the vampire, for example when Bella and Edward first speak she notices his eye colour changes from black to light brown, before he has been on a 'trip' with his family (which is inferred as a hunt for food). His characteristics also include the power of speed, cold hands, pale skintone (link with Count Orlok from Nosferatu) and strange reaction to sunlight - he sparkles (which is unlike a vampire character in 'Let the right one in' who bursts into flames).
(Scene where a vampire bursts into flames - 'Let the right one in' (2008)
The era of the sympathetic modern vampire has begun as in the 80s vampires were portrayed as rebels as part of the youth culture (The Lost Boys 1987), now in Hollywood vampires are portrayed as glamorous and good looking rather than evil blood suckers.
(Twilight cast & Eli from 'Let the right one in')
Author Milly Williamson in her book 'The Lure of the vampire' states that 'we are told to be wary of vampires, some critics remind is that vampires can infect us with their otherness, beguile us with their depraved intimacy and exhaust us with their embraces'. This quote supports the view in the David Cox's article that feminism isn't shown in Twilight (2008), as the main character Bella becomes dependent on Edward. Twilight has become so well established in today's society that senators are discussing the characters in supreme court.
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