[Luthien_ Tinuviel]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> But I don't think that Sean Astin was particularly amazing - given the source material, how could anyone possibly have done a bad job? In fact, I would think that a more accomplished actor sticking closer to the original could have been even better.<BR> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>As to the "how could anyone possibly do a bad job?" part, have you seen the Ralph Bashki cartoon LOTR? Sam is by far the scariest character. He's absolutely disturbing. Which is a sad thing for me to say about my Sam, but it's true. If you truly believe that since LOTR is a great book, anyone can make a great movie out of it, watching the cartoon should cure you of it (that said, though, don't watch the cartoon if you don't want to be saddened and perturbed at its awfulness). <P>Secondly, if you don't mind my asking, what do you mean by "sticking closer to the original", and who do you view as a "more accomplished actor" who could have played the role better? Where do you see changes in Sam's character? Because I didn't notice any that I can think of, and certainly not in ROTK. <P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Tolkien's view that Sam is the true hero of the story shines out in Astin's performance. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Ah, that it does. Which brings up an interesting point: It has been said by the various people involved in LOTR that they tried to make FOTR and TTT Frodo-centric. Which is all well and good. But I had expected them to make ROTK more Sam-centric, especially because of the shift of focus in the books. I don't really feel that they did, though. We really got to see Sam shine in ROTK, but the focus still seemed to remain on Frodo, at least more than I thought it would. Do you all agree, or is it just me?<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I loved the part at the end, where he kisses Rosie, and then turns and smiles radiantly at all the people at the wedding. After witnessing all his travails in the beginning, I nearly shed tears of joy when I saw that. His eyes dancing and sparkling with 100% happiness, and the fact that all of his wishes finally came true really really touched me. I could feel a glow start up inside me when I looked into his glowing eyes. It was just so amazing! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I have to totally agree with that. Sam and Rosie's wedding is amazing. They're so cute together.