The Phantom of the Opera

I don't pardon him for his actions, but everything he did was because he was infatuated with Christine - which, from a female POV, makes the figure of the Phantom come across as unfortunate and pitiable (despite the fact that in 'real life' that would be unimaginably creepy and disgusting, but whatever). In the original novel he was painted as a tragic villain, who did terrible things but at the same time had terrible things done to him, things that he did not deserve. The fact that he was committing murders in the name of 'love' somewhat softens it.

Of course, I'm really not thrilled with the movie version. I hated Butler as Phantom, because A) he can't sing. and B)he's faaar too young and faaar too attractive to be the Phantom. I find the Phantom attractive, and like most PotO Phans, I want Christine and him to be together (even though it can never be); his attraction isn't physical, but his musical genius and almost superhuman abilities of manipulation. But he's supposed to be completely malformed, and about 60 years of age. This would have probably made him much less pitable on-screen, though, and in the Lloyd-Webber adaptation they want it to lean heavily on the Phantom's side.

Originally Posted by banned person

(considering the different versions of the story too, I am assuming the one told by Susan Kay)

Susan Kay's version is absolutely amazing. In my opinion, it's better than the original in that it delves much deeper into Erik/the Phantom's past and the reasons behind his actions later in the novel -- which was outlined in the original, and very much changed in the ALW movie version.
But...I think the original novel says it best:

Quote:

Poor, unhappy Erik! Shall we pity him? Shall we curse him? He asked only to be 'some one,' like everybody else. But he was too ugly! And he had to hide his genius or use it to play tricks with, when, with an ordinary face, he would have been one fo the most distinguished of mankind! He had a heart that could have held the empire of the world; and in the end he had to content himself with a cellar. Surely we may pity the opera ghost! I have prayed over his mortal remains, that God might show him mercy notwithstanding his crimes.

So yes, it is completely normal and expected to pity the Phantom. In a way, he's a tragic hero -- albeit with some awful big flaws.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by BurningRanger

As an aside, and correct me if I'm wrong, I don't believe Andrew Lloyd Webber had much to do with the film itself; it was directed by Joel Schumacher.

Yes, but it was a movie version of the ALW musical. Which was adapted by ALW and Richard Stilgoe. Maybe he didn't have as much to do with the movie (I heard he oversaw the casting), but the film was based on his adaptation, tweaked by Schumacher.

Originally Posted by BurningRanger

Perhaps, but isn't that very similar to saying you feel bad for a Macbeth because he only killed all those people after the witches essentially gave him permission?

I'm just saying that even the original author -- who should be looked to as the authority on his own story -- says that the Phantom should not be viewed as purely a villain. He gives us permission to pity him, and I do.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Okay, so men empathize with Raoul? How odd. The movie was the first incarnation of the story that made me even sort of like Raoul; I've always found the Phantom to be more attractive in personality. He has this tragically romantic aura that I just find to be very... intriguing. Reading Phantom definitely reinforces this perspective. I love Rocky Horror also, but I fail to see how the two could possibly be connected .

And yeah, I've read Maskerade . I love Pterry and his Discworld, and Maskerade isn't my favorite of the series, but it was amusing enough.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

But -- she never does anything with the Phantom.
Barring the

Spoiler:

Susan Kay version

...

The Phantom idolizes Christine, he doesn't treat her like shit. He's just a tad obsessive >___>...in any case, her attraction to him is his genius, which I think is a good reason to like anyone. I dislike Raoul because he's your pretty-boy-rich-guy that just happened to grow up with the girl. Maybe the reason I dislike Raoul is because I inheritly dislike those types of men, but whatever.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?