Cultural Phenomenon – Twilight
OK, so I went to see Twilight with our children’s pastor today and I have to say it was pretty good. I was wanting to see it because it is such a phenomenon among females ages 10 to 100 and I love a good vampire movie anyway, but I was really surprised at this movie.
The teen girl persona and my guess would be common for most teen girls was very candid. I wouldn’t say that I am any closer to having the female psyche figured out, but I do think I understand some more of what girls go through in the world they are growing up in. This movie is very teen romance and borrows from Romeo and Juliet at times, but it is a theme that seems to be long-lived.
I was particularly surprised with the translation form book to movie. Many movies have tried to handle inner-monologue and had a hard time of it. Twilight did a great job of making it seem natural and real. I know that there is a level of depth that can’t come across on screen, but I would say that they did a pretty good job.
Most importantly, I think this is an important movie/book for those in youth ministry. If there are girls in the ministry, they have probably read and watched Twilight. There are some themes in it that are very common and could be used to have a dialogue. It seems from the movie that every girls desire to have that one special person she is completely devoted to and who is devoted to her. The roles of protector and beauty are very clear in it. The idea of chastity is also a great theme to start a conversation with girls exploring dating.
So, all you macho youth guys out there, take one for the team and go see Twilight. Use the excuse that you are doing to research the world of teen girls if you must, but leave yourself open to actually liking.
One Comment
Erik / 05 Dec 2008 / 7:31 PM