Ahktene,
You wrote:
Quote:
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but this idea of struggling with fears or acting against his basic instincts is present in the book. Without knowing that, on the screen we'd get just another tough hero waving his sword or fists, which to my mind would be even further from Frodo's character.
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Actually, while I see your point about the fears needing to be visible, I have enough "faith" in Elijah Wood's acting to know that he could have shown fear, shown terror, adn still mastered himself and done the courageous thing.
Did you see him in Forever Young, as Nathan the 10-year-old, in the tree at night, singing "You are my sunshine" to that little redheaded girl? (best love scene in all of moviedom, IMHO) He clearly shows nervousness, momentary indecision, and intimidation when her father appears at the window. And yet, despite all this he gathers his courage (gulp) and launches into a spirited defense of his actions. "No, sir. This is no prank. I'm Nathan, I'm ten years old, and I'm in love with your daughter!" He gets told to go home, but Redhead is impressed.
I would have loved to see that (Nazgul replacing Intimidating Dad, of course) in this film. Black rider appears; Frodo is intimidated, terrified, indecisive for a second or three; but-- argh!-- he gathers some courage, draws his sword (panic-stricken eyes would still be fine) hollers "The Shire!" or "Elbereth!" or something and dives forward, attacking-- even though he's still scared. That would have been realistic.
Elijah could have done that all that and more with **NO** problem. The kid is good. Why, oh why, didn't PJ ask him to do it? Why did Elijah get "assignment: wymp?"