Jazz Girl wrote:...I never had an issue relating to Bella after her change. I completely understood the decision she made, her motivations for doing it. Love that intense, a connection that foundational and deep justifies a lot of behavior that might otherwise be a little odd. Or, as Buffy says, "Love makes you do the crazy." That I totally get. But, in a way, I never really understood why Bella wanted to risk everything for an unknown. Don't get me wrong. I have two munchkins of my own. I know that feeling, that all consuming love and willingness to endure anything for them. Her total about face about everything just seemed a little odd to me. In my opinion, it somewhat lessened the importance of the love betwen Bella and Edward. Portraying that in the film is going to be odd.
First, pardon for the double post. I was going to edit prior remarks concerning Bella during the pregnancy, but I think your comments gets very close to my own. From the story's standpoint, I had absolutely no issue with Bella's decision to change into a vampire. My only concern translating that into a movie is the audiences's potential disconnect
visually with seeing such a radical change for the entire Part 2 of BD, but hopefully my fears are unfounded.
Jazz Girl~~The "connection" problem, as you point out, likely begins with SM’s switch from Bella’s POV for the Forever Dawn draft to Jacob’s POV in Breaking Dawn. A lot of background storyline is picked up, which was SM’s intent and mostly works out well, but some of the key questions can only be answered from Bella’s POV. I don’t think SM necessarily made a mistake, as there was probably no happy medium that would be fully satisfying. I am left with having to assume that Bella doesn’t tell Edward everything that is going on in her head, deriving that from Edward’s failed attempt to convince Bella to abort the child and have another one with Jacob. Bella would NEVER consider that as an option, regardless of the circumstances, but especially because the child she was carrying was
Edward’s; it wasn’t just some child. Bella likely wouldn’t tell Edward this because she knows how he would take this, and he already loathes himself enough. There is also the issue where Bella’s condition starts really deteriorating when she cannot find any way to keep her food down. What is going on in her mind then? Is she starting to have doubts, because now the odds are increasing that Edward is going to lose not only her but the child as well, leaving him with nothing (and we know exactly where that leads to). This was one of the reasons for Bella wanting to change, knowing that Edward could not live without her. Again, more assumptions we have to make, but it is difficult because we are not in Bella's head and everything is being filtered through Jacob.
Stepping out of Bella’s POV here during such a critical event where she and Edward’s future are literally on the line is more jarring than I had first realized. We have to make a lot of assumptions about motivations based on our knowledge of Bella, but it is very difficult when everything during this time is seen through the eyes of Jacob.
One other brief comment (I always write too much) to illustrate. Edward’s first communication with Renesmee in the womb should have been an overwhelmingly emotional moment between him and Bella. I can picture how incredible this could be portrayed onscreen. Yet in the book, this remarkable moment is seen by Jacob as an act of betrayal.
Edward's POV: My God! this child is not a monster, now I see why Bella is doing this, I love her so much!
Bella's POV: Edward finally understands, I hated seeing him in pain, I love him so much!
Jacob's POV: Edward has gone mad, I have to get away from this lunatic asylum, nothing makes sense!