[Bêthberry]

Lalaith, I must admit I had forgotten Eomer's post when I was replying to Lobelia. His point is a good idea and well spoken. However, ultimately I would reject it on the grounds that such an argument represents a defeatist attitude about art.

The differences between human and elf are far indeed, yet to my mind, a great artist can transcend such differences and provide us with a vision or imagination enough to repair the difference. To say that it cannot be done is to deny the possibility that art can transcend and make us see newly.

Sir Ian absolutely assumed or consumed my image of Gandalf the Grey, an Istari. Somewhere I hold out the possibility that an actress exists who could bridge that gap. I have faith in art, in artists, and in actresses. I think the problem, if problem it is, lies in the fact that Jackson did not try to do that. He went for something else.

And,yes, I grant the possibility that Cirdan was older than Galadriel, but still that does not negate my point that Galadriel is herself very old, older than Shelob. The elves are fading because their time is passed and they are awash with nostalgia and regret for what was and what will be lost. It is that poignancy I would have liked to have seen and which for me Blanchett did not capture.