February 13, 2003

Not a Pointless Scene At All
Chambers

Clearly Elrond's speech about why Arwen shouldn't stay with Aragorn was not only essential, but straight from Tolkien. In "A Part of the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen" Tolkien tells the sad story of how Arwen had to in Middle earth long after Aragorn dies. To really appreciate Arwen's sacrifice, I think this scene needed to be in the movie. Although it didn't make it in to the 'real' book, PJ clearly wants to expand the Love story and is faithfully using Tolkien's ideas to do so. Also, the parting of Elrond and Arwen is just about the only sad thing that happens at the end of the book, and this scene set up the the end of the Return of the King perfectly. As for the Galadriel monologue, not only did it sum up what was going on for people who may have been unclear, but it also shows the motivation for Elrond's decision to send the elves to Helm's deep. However, I do agree this time could have possibly been used better.

Chambers