Bella meeting the Cullen family for the first time

[jed]

I agree with everything previously said ......I love this scene, particularly the look on Edward's face .........he just doesn't know what to do
One thing that has always stuck with me is the half smile on Rosalies face when Bella makes the 'I would become the meal' comment. I like to think that even Rosalie can see the humour of the situation. Or maybe I'm just reading it in the wrong way.

[LadyEsme]

After the comedy of the kitchen scene, there is a line that always touches my heart.
Rob/Edward says "Ahhh, yeah , this is my room.", just as he and Bella are about to enter his room. I know it is a simple line, but to me the significance is profound. Although he has had 109 years of existence, his heart has never been touched by romantic love. Never before has he invited a young lady into his inner sanctum, apart from his sisters/mom. He is hesitant, shy, unsure ....17 just like Bella when it comes to first love.
Strange as it may seem this is one of my favorite lines.
Cheers, LadyEsme

[scoundrel]

As far as additions go, I like this one, for all the reasons you cite as well as for the humor. (And like Edward'sGothicBride, I crack up at the expressions on Edward's face as he's turning to lead Bella away from the kitchen).

I have big issues with the other non-book scenes--how about the chronically overcautious Edward taking Bella to the heights of exceedingly tall trees? Seriously? Or Victoria being present at prom--even in the same casino room--but Edward doesn't hear her thoughts?? REALLY? And I hate Carlisle's lines in the ballet studio ("remember who you are," "her blood is clean, you're killing her," "find the will to stop," UGH! Did Rosenberg not understand the point of Edward being able to control himself of his own accord??). Sorry, these are sore points, not that you could tell or anything....

For me, the kitchen scene enhances the story and provides a clear snapshot of the character dynamics. Other invented scenes don't succeed in doing that, and in fact, are antithetical to who the characters are.

I am quite certain from watching the first two movies on DVD that there is an awful lot that Melissa Rosenberg didn't understand and no doubt this lies behind much of the unnecessary revisions which she made; she couldn't understand the point of the original story in various aspects so she reworked it into something which made sense to herself. Her work on Dexter is widely acclaimed as excellent and I don't doubt that it was, but sadly her work on Twilight and on New Moon wasn't terribly good. However the kitchen scene was good work, well scripted and well acted. I speculate that this scene works because it has dynamics which are more natural than supernatural; it is a scene which presents nerves, tension, the thinly controlled dislike and bad temper of Rosalie, the fear of an unfamiliar situation which is felt as least as much by the vampires as by Bella, and crucially, the existing relationships of the Cullen family about to be redefined because Bella is now in the Secret. Ms Rosenberg handled a complex social drama neatly and with commendable precision. I don't often have a good word for her, and indeed I still have a text to Caius on hold to let him know that Ms Rosenberg knows too much, but one must give credit where it is due and she deserves acknowledgement for this well-written scene.

[redlipstick]

it is a pretty counter- pop-cultural narrative.

I can't really fault her for not getting it. If she did, she'd have written a wildly successful novel, herself, rather than be a second-string cable tv show writer. the producers themselves still aren't sure what the attraction is. They're throwing spaghetti against the wall. I mean: why is Letters to Juliet nearly a direct to cable production, while Twilight banks a billion? Same company, different results. Both actresses are considered workhorses: they both have movies coming out next year, of nearly the same caliber. Amanda Seyfried just starred in another other-wordly movie- the red riding hood movie, with the same director of the first Twilight movie. It went nowhere fast, as well.

What do you call a sailboat where all the ropes are tied just right? That's the word for Twilight, and it's nearly inaudible. It just hums when you put your hand on it, like a boat running out to sea.

[Shimmerskin]

After the comedy of the kitchen scene, there is a line that always touches my heart.
Rob/Edward says "Ahhh, yeah , this is my room.", just as he and Bella are about to enter his room. I know it is a simple line, but to me the significance is profound.

That's one of my favorite moments, too, Esme! Simple, small, but very significant, very revealing. And very sweet.

I am quite certain from watching the first two movies on DVD that there is an awful lot that Melissa Rosenberg didn't understand and no doubt this lies behind much of the unnecessary revisions which she made; she couldn't understand the point of the original story in various aspects so she reworked it into something which made sense to herself.

(This is for another thread, I guess, but I'd still like to know: Would you say her understanding has improved with each movie, or do you attribute improvements to the directors?).

the producers themselves still aren't sure what the attraction is.

I agree that Red Riding Hood was intended to be "another" TW, and they thought they knew the sure-fire formula. Obviously, they didn't.

It missed, probably because it lacked a kitchen scene.... (Just bringing us back on-topic! ).