As I said some posts below, I was all right with the *theory* of enlarging Arwen's role. In the book, her background presence was fine, fitting to the old-times atmosphere, the angelic woman for whom the hero does his deeds. In the movie it would have been confusing and unsatisfying... "who did you say the bride was again?" It's a matter of the different medium. I do hate the idea of "dumbing down" a book for the "stupid public", but I don't think this was the case. Necessarily, a movie is faster, you can't turn back the pages, you should not be supposed to go in a second time and see it again, even more so if it's a trilogy.

I did dislike the muddling of the A/A storyline in ROTK. Once again I admit a problem: I feel little empathy for King Elessar. I'm not sure whether it's because his role was so Arwen-laden, or, vice-versa, if I disliked Arwen's constant presence in all his issues (the Palantir scene in the EE - groan) just because I could not relate to him. (or because Viggo does little for me. *hides behind her shield*)

However, I still think Arwen has two of my favourite scenes in the whole trilogy: the "death" vision in TTT and the child vision in ROTK. "But there is also life!" I found it powerful also because it is meaningful to me for personal reasons.

This is yet another, more general problem which I think we should keep in mind when anticipating tomatoes :D. We are entitled to express all of our opinions, of course! But I also try to keep in mind that it's what they are: personal opinions, often based on totally irrational reasons, not objective truths. This is a good example: Iseabal disliked Liv, I found she would have been good with better script material, some adore her. Who is right? There is no answer. So I think we must be careful both ways - bash gently and gush moderately. :D

By the way, Arwen IS at Helm's Deep. If you look closely when Theoden leads the charge outside the fort, there are *two* blond long-haired riders. One is Legolas; the other one is Arwen disguised in post-production. They cut her scenes, but could not shoot again the charge and so there she is. I don't remember whether it's just my theory or it's supported somewhere, but it makes sense.