Terabithia

I went to watch the movie "Bridge to Terabithia" because I read this New Berry Awarded book and was really touched by this excellent book written for middle school children.

The bridge to the friendship between Jess and Leslie in the book was mainly reflected by the description of Jess' thoughts since he is a very introverted boy. I was moved again and again by the way how the author delicately wrote about their friendship. I can only use the phrase "it's just so much" to summarize how I feel. It's like an endless eternity, their profound friendship, even such an outstanding writer couldn't show you all and left you broad space to feel, to relate, to imagine, to realize, to understand. It's not only for children. It's not a perfect angelic type book but it's deep enough for you to think to enjoy. The only part I was trying to avoid was the tragedy.

The goodness of the movie is that it softened the tragedy and strengthened a more positive view. It's probably due to the modern film making technology. The book and the movie are like a best match. The movie put the imagination into reality in front of your eyes. The book was written early in 1970s. What have Terabithia been in the author's eyes at that time?

When I read the book I liked Leslie already, however, it's still an enchanting surprise when I saw the role performed by AnnaSophia. In the book Leslie has brown hair, and in the movie, she is a blonde. The role is more beautiful than I imagined. It's amazing to see such a young yet mature and potential movie star. The followings are the unforgettable scenes of the movie and the film maker made them so beautiful:

Leslie jumped across through a rope to Terabithia - the kingdom of Jess and Leslie in their heart:



Leslie was so happy to feel the freedom in the kingdom:



Leslie was looking at Terabithia from the top of the tree:



Jess and Leslie were looking at the Terabithia from the top of the tree. Leslie said, close your eyes, keep your mind wide open.



Here goes the imaginary Terabithia vividly right in front of your eyes through film maker's recreation. That's the best part of the film making; it helps your dreams come true and this recreation of the book also lessened the tragic sense and brought audience a more positive one.



Last smile of Leslie remains on my mind. When Jess and Leslie ran back home in the rain, Leslie was turning her head and smiling, "see you" and then disappeared in the rain. How could Jess know in advance that that moment would be the last goodbye with Leslie? The film maker especially made the moment still for a few seconds but it's still too short. It's so beautiful. It does help ignore the tragic feeling. Yes, why should we forget? We could just remember those beautiful moments; Jess will always remember.



Movie is always a recreation of the original book; that's why most movies are "better" than the original novels, especially when the film maker is more literature oriented and enriches the movies with more terrific dialogs as I mentioned in Happy Pie. However, I would say, Bridge to Terabithia, the book and the movies are equally good and without the book there wouldn't be this movie. If I were the film maker, I would translate Jess' thoughts of the book into monologues to lead the entire movie, because this is the best part of the book; that's the very reason for the book to succeed, to make reader understand the depth of the friendship. Yes, that's what the movie vitally lacks, nevertheless, I like to hear kids say, I prefer the book; in this way, they will still be active readers and intelligent, and the literature will keep staying.

As a grown-up, even I wish to hold such a kingdom in my heart and I would also name it Terabithia.