http://www.stormlight.org/gray/matter/2007/08/14/review-stardust/ a mix of black and white Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:44:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://www.stormlight.org/gray/matter/2007/08/14/review-stardust/#comment-6 gray Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:32:27 +0000 http://www.stormlight.org/gray/matter/2007/08/14/review-stardust/#comment-6 I agree that the book's ending suits its characters, shocking as it seemed at the time (it's still going?), but for better or worse, the Yvaine of the movie is not quite the same as the book. She is less aloof, more interested in worldly affairs and particularly the nature of love, much like Damiel from Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire." This makes her more a peer to Tristran, and she is notably affected at his hesitation when considering an eternal life at the cost of loneliness, which the movie's ending resolves. In the novel, again much like LOTR's Arwen (or for a more obscure reference, Leetah's devotion to Cutter despite his mixed blood that will shorten his life relative to hers...much like Tristran, who is after all half-human), Yvaine makes a commitment that carries on much longer after her partner's death. She accepts a finite bliss at a much greater cost than we can truly conceive, and yes, it is a bittersweet ending. The movie clearly aims for a simpler happiness. My other regrets that I did not mention are (1) they left out Lamia's exclamation that she could no longer feast on Yvaine's heart because it no longer truly belonged to her (though Yvaine herself makes this confession to Tristran), even though that went along with the anticlimax of their final meeting at the market in the book and would not have served in the major showdown the movie chose; and (2) they did not have a chance to elope and travel the world before taking on their duties as rulers at Stormhold. I agree that the book’s ending suits its characters, shocking as it seemed at the time (it’s still going?), but for better or worse, the Yvaine of the movie is not quite the same as the book. She is less aloof, more interested in worldly affairs and particularly the nature of love, much like Damiel from Wim Wenders’ “Wings of Desire.” This makes her more a peer to Tristran, and she is notably affected at his hesitation when considering an eternal life at the cost of loneliness, which the movie’s ending resolves. In the novel, again much like LOTR’s Arwen (or for a more obscure reference, Leetah’s devotion to Cutter despite his mixed blood that will shorten his life relative to hers…much like Tristran, who is after all half-human), Yvaine makes a commitment that carries on much longer after her partner’s death. She accepts a finite bliss at a much greater cost than we can truly conceive, and yes, it is a bittersweet ending. The movie clearly aims for a simpler happiness. My other regrets that I did not mention are (1) they left out Lamia’s exclamation that she could no longer feast on Yvaine’s heart because it no longer truly belonged to her (though Yvaine herself makes this confession to Tristran), even though that went along with the anticlimax of their final meeting at the market in the book and would not have served in the major showdown the movie chose; and (2) they did not have a chance to elope and travel the world before taking on their duties as rulers at Stormhold.

]]> http://www.stormlight.org/gray/matter/2007/08/14/review-stardust/#comment-5 kallen21046 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:49:50 +0000 http://www.stormlight.org/gray/matter/2007/08/14/review-stardust/#comment-5 Well, Gregory, while I largely agree with your take on the film successfully existing apart from the novel, I have one major disagreement: I had hoped for Gaiman's original (brave) ending. I love the happily ever after, certainly, and yes, the crowing of the King reminded me too much of the film sequence in Lord of The Rings but worked anyway, BUT... The story needs the bittersweet ending to make it more emotionally solid. Tristran is not of the same cloth as Yvaine and Gaimen does such a beautiful job pointing out that even love cannot overcome their very real and permanent difference. Aside from that, and my small quibbles with Claire Danes (though I love her, I do!) I was pleased enough with the film and am anxious for another viewing after going through the book again. Well, Gregory, while I largely agree with your take on the film successfully existing apart from the novel, I have one major disagreement:
I had hoped for Gaiman’s original (brave) ending. I love the happily ever after, certainly, and yes, the crowing of the King reminded me too much of the film sequence in Lord of The Rings but worked anyway, BUT… The story needs the bittersweet ending to make it more emotionally solid. Tristran is not of the same cloth as Yvaine and Gaimen does such a beautiful job pointing out that even love cannot overcome their very real and permanent difference. Aside from that, and my small quibbles with Claire Danes (though I love her, I do!) I was pleased enough with the film and am anxious for another viewing after going through the book again.

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