QUOTE (civilian_number_two @ Jul 19 2004, 01:46 PM)
They're cut from the same cloth in the first film in a way we don't get to see again, which is why so many of this series's female fans preferred Eowyn, and resented Arwen's hold on his heart.
You know, Civ, I not as much as resented it, but I just was very baffled about it. I knew the books, of course, and I knew what will happen in the end. But as I am hopelessly romantic, I always watch closely those scenes related to romance (and, as you may notice, Eowyn IS my favourite character ).
So, I tried to look at all scenes involving her and Aragorn. And I came to the conclusion, that there is something strange here. Aragorn DID give up Arwen in TTT. Remember the scene where they lead their horses? What she basically asks Aragorn is "Look, I know it is impossible for a guy so attractive as you not to have a romantic interest. Is she prettier than me?" And he answeres
"Well, she is. Unfortunately, she also has a very persuasive father who convinced her not to mix up with lower races such as us humans."
"Uh, good. So I still have a chance?"
And there is what happened in theatrical version. At the end of the film, during that superfluous speech of Sam, Aragon actually comes to her with an expression on his face "Well, ok. here I am".
No wonder she is hurt and puzzled in the ROTK. And are we to believe it all happened because he had a dream about Arwen? Why exactly he suddenly rejected quite an attractive girl from a royal family? As far as I remember, he didn't get to meet Elrond only after he basically chucked Eowyn. So it just did not add up for me.
And then.. then I saw EE and I understood. It was because of that stew! You cannot fall in love with a girl who forces you to eat something like that. I thought this scene was totally, totally unnecessary. A princess from a royal family to cook herself? Didn't she have servants, ladies in waiting, and such stuff? Silly, silly, idiotic scene.
And then I cannot forgive Jackson for cutting out Faramir and Eowyn. Here is a guy who lost everything, his father, brother, his kingdom, everything, and he is just brushed off to the side and smiles widely at the coronation of an unknown usurper. And she, she loved Aragorn so much, and now does not blink at him slogging an elf who allegedly chucked him.
It is supposed to be different in EE, but I just hate to fork out something like 20% of my monthly income to see that. I think I will wait for the next version of the book. I think in 40 years someone will have another go at it.