by Lindsay Oliver

Created on: June 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 10, 2009

Comparing a book and a movie adaptation is always difficult. The book offers so much more insight into the characters and the subtle nuances of the plot. However, when adapting a screenplay from a novel, the most important events and characters should still be in the forefront. This is not taken into consideration in the movie version of Twilight, based on the best selling novel by Stephenie Meyer.

The characters that are central to the series are first and foremost Bella and Edward. Though the rest of the Cullen clan is equally as important, the movie does not spend nearly enough time explaining some of their special gifts and how they came to be a family. Although Jacob plays a small role in Twilight, his role in the first book is consequential to the rest of the series. James, Victoria, and Laurent are all important, but not nearly as important as the amount of time the movie spends building up their storyline. That subplot takes a large section of the movie, one that is not true to the book.

Bella, in the book, is shown to be strong, stubborn and independent, despite her clumsiness. She has a very strong connection with Edward, but still remains true to her family-oriented values. Kristin Stewart does not portray her character in the same light that Stephenie Meyer depicts her in the book. Bella comes off as independent, but weak and awkward instead of stubborn and endearingly clumsy. She seems to overact at times, making her almost painful to watch on screen. Her relationship with Charlie is portrayed similarly, but not the way it could be. Bella, in the book, is very much a caretaker. She has taken care of her mother, Renee, since she was old enough to, and she continues this when she moves in with Charlie, always doing his laundry and cooking dinner. It is one of the character traits that Edward finds most attractive in her, and they barely show it in the movie. It would have been easy enough to include this, rather than having the two separate diner scenes.

Edward, on the other hand, was cast wonderfully. Robert Pattinson gives Edward the same aurora of awe, mystery and agony that is so encapsulating in the book. Although his struggle is much harder in the novel, the scenes that are cut out are the main reason this is not seen in the movie, rather than Pattinson's performance. No actor could possibly live up to the perfection that Meyer's gives Edward in the novel, but Pattinson comes damn near close. The only flaw that

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