Edward Cullen Analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO37pjrTBEY&feature=related

In The Twilight Series, the male protagonist, Edward, possesses these dominant characteristics and attracts many young females with ease. Throughout the Twilight Series, Edward Cullen seems to enter in a sensual and exotic manner, which immediately connotes his charismatic and stunning persona. We see Edward in a majority of close ups which enable us to see his perfect features and beautiful face. A slight smirk and sexy look draw the female audience like a magnet. Edward Cullen never looks directly towards the camera which allows the audience to feel comfortable whilst watching him. The background behind him is very plain and simple which keeps all eyes focused towards him. His personality is shown through the non diegetic sound whilst he walks towards Bella and makes him seem very dominant and masculine. Within the first few minutes of watching Edward, we become aware of the attractiveness and give him an increased sense of masculinity which allures the “female gaze” which “sets up a relationship between the male body as an object of erotic visual pleasure” producing a bold expression of the female desire. Gamman and Marshment’s description of the female gaze is “a mere cross-identification with masculinity" which is mainly shown in teen magazines and films that are clearly designed to appeal to the Female Gaze. The high key lighting is used to highlight Edward’s perfect features which make him seem more desirable. His eyes continuously look to the floor which gives him a frightening, yet vulnerable approach; this invites the female audience in and draws them into becoming obsessed. Edward Cullen is also immortal; this ideology allows him to be forever young and handsome but also making him mature and cynical; a combination of the “bad boy attitude” which young girls are fascinated with. Chris Weitz, the director of The Twilight Saga; Eclipse, reinforces the new traits of a Vampire and allow the main target audience to be drawn into the looks, powers and personalities of the new Vampire.