The Return of the King... and several Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, Wizards, and Humans...

[cyan_blue]

We saw ROTK tonight. No words are adequate to summarize it. But I am awed.

The beauty, for me, was in the details.

For show-stealing, I think the glory was split between Pippin and Sam. Sam for his incredible bravery, loyalty, and steadfastness. Pippin for the depths of the emotions that shone from his face, and for his capacity to understand and be touched by small nuances. Also for how much he matured into someone who was able to roll with the changes that life would bring. I was half expecting him to take off with Frodo at the end... it's certain that he'll keep on having, and relishing, his adventures.

And speaking of Frodo, and expressions... perhaps some of you can help me find a word or a phrase for this one? At the very end, there was that scene where he was smiling radiantly down at the other hobbits from the boat, as they shared their last gaze with him. But as he turned away, there was another expression that played across his face - a lifting of the brow, a deep pride and humor and gentle challenge, perhaps in expectation of the greatness of their lives to come. Or something. It was a wonderful expression, and I'd give dearly to see that amount of love and pride held in someone's eyes towards me. Can anybody put any better definition to that particular expression? I don't think I'm quite capturing all of it.

BTW, could those of you who have all ready posted about your own impressions of ROTK drop me a line? I'd like to go back and read those posts, now that they won't be spoilers for me, but I forget who among you has posted.

Comments

[2wanda.livejournal.com]

I think the hobbits took facial expression lessons from Ian McKellen, who is himself the master of the subtle facial expression, in my opinion.

I was enthralled by the movie, myself. I'm planning on seeing it again after Christmas. I was very pleased that they were able to stick to the original book as much as they did, and enhanced the plot where needed (such as filling out the female roles a bit.) There was really nothing in the movie that bothered me, and this is a rare occurrence.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I became increasingly thrilled with the character of Pippin, as the story progressed. He really got rich.

[jrosestar.livejournal.com]

Here's a link to my post about ROTK.

ROTK

Although the ROTK part is not very large.

Jean.

[cyan-blue.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I enjoyed reading it, and the comments that your friends left to it.

[semperfiona]

I posted some impressions here.

[cyan-blue.livejournal.com]

Thanks, very much!

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

In the car on the way home, I told deyo that indeed, it was all about Pippin and Sam, this time. I think Sean Astin was brilliant. Yeah, he cried a lot, but I think he would have. It seemed alright.

I'd forgotten how the book went, and left it that way (though we have a set here) because I knew the movie would have to leave bits out (or be three times as long) and I didn't want to get into comparing the book to the movie while I was watching. Throughout, I kept expecting either Merry or Pippin to die, and I surprised myself by dreading that. I didn't know I'd come to like them -- especially Pippin -- so much.

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

What I thought happened at the end to Frodo was that he became the hobbitt he was in the beginning of the story -- the pain and misery he suffered because of the ring dropped away, and the look of joy he gives his friends reminds me of the look he greeted Gandalf with at the start of FotR -- but with wisdom added. I don't think I have a word for it, either.