In the original trilogy, Leia and Luke's mother is only mentioned in one scene: when Luke reveals to Leia that they are siblings. Leia carries vague memories of her mother, remembering that she was "beautiful, kind, but sad." One of the many things that made the prequels so exciting was the opportunity to finally meet that mysterious mother. And what a mother she turned out to be. A queen dedicated to her people. A senator who doesn't hesitate to stand up for her beliefs. A love interest who lets a Jedi experience happiness, but also ultimately causes the destruction of them both.
The younger of two children born to Jobal and Ruwee Naberrie on Naboo, Padme entered the world of politics at a very young age. Winning respect from her people very quickly, she was elected Queen of Naboo at the tender age of fourteen. Unfortunately, a scene where we meet Padme's family never made it to the final version of the saga, but thanks to the miracle of DVDs, we are still able to see her loving parents and teasing big sister. (Also, her parents and one of her nieces make a brief camio at the end of ROTS.)
We first meet Padme with the name Queen Amidala, donned in elaborate royal attire with a painted face and a thick accent. With all that on her, it's hardly a surprise that we don't recognize her when she disguises herself as a handmaiden. Her big revelation near the end could confuse some viewers, but a few more viewings will tell them exactly when Amidala is the real queen and when she's the decoy.
Anyway, The Phantom Menace is the movie where Padme shines the most. Sure, she's still awesome in the other two, but she's REALLY awesome in TPM. She demonstrates a youthful spirit here that isn't as intense as in the other movies. Her two sides of kindly handmaiden and warrior queen merge beautifully. The mistique of her identity intruige us. And let's face it, it's just plain cool for a fourteen-year-old girl to be ruling a planet.
In Attack of the Clones, Padme's term as queen has ended, but her political involvement is far from over - she's now representing the planet in the senate. Her life seems to be pretty stable (aside from the assasination attempts) until Anakin returns to it. This movie is where we see more of Padme's layers unfolding. She is a prestigious ruler and representative of her people, but she still harbors the basic human desire for love and family. At first, she's not willing to give up on everything for love, but then she and Anakin start thinking that they can have both.
In Rebvenge of the Sith, Padme becomes a tragic character. She slowly begins to realize that the Republic for which she has fought and worked her entire life is no more, even before it officially becomes an Empire. In addition, her husband grows more and more distant. She feels like her life is becoming a black abyss from which she can't escape. Her life is swallowed up, and ultimately ends, ironically at the hand of the husband who sacrificed everything to save her. Yet she continues to believe in him even in the final seconds of her life. Perhaps infant Luke subconsciously remembered his mother's last words in his later life, which gave him the faith to bring back his father from the dark side's abyss.
TOP TEN PADME QUOTES
In The Phantom Menace
10. "Like us."
9. "I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war."
8. "Beware, Viceroy, the Federation has gone too far this time."
7. "Well that is why we must not fail to get the viceroy. Everything depends on it."
6. "The queen is worried. Her people are suffering, dying."
5. "You assume too much."
4. "Now Viceroy, we will discuss a new treaty."
3. "I will sign no treaty, Senator. My fate will be no different than that of our people."
2. "Your Honor, I am Queen Amidala."
1. "I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a commitee!"
In Attack of the Clones
10. "Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine."
9. "I will not let you give up your future for me."
8. "Oh Anakin's not a Jedi yet, he's still a padawann learner."
7. "I haven't worked for a year against the military movement to not be here when its fate is decided."
6. "Are you allowed to love? I thought that was forbidden for a Jedi."
5. "No, I shouldn't have done that."
4. "Well mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow."
3."Sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship to me."
2. "He gave you strict orders to protect me, and I'm going to help Obi-Wan. If you plan on protecting me, you'll just have to come along."
1. "No, I call it aggressive negotiations."
In Revenge of the Sith
10."You're wrong!"
9. "How long is it going to take for us to be honest with each other?"
8."Luke!....Leia!"
7. "So love has blinded you?"
6. "Something wonderful has happened. Ani...I'm pregnant."
5. "I don't know you anymore!"
4. "Obi-Wan, is Anakin all right?"
3. "Have you ever thought that maybe we're on the wrong side?"
2. "Obi-Wan....there's good in him...I know...I know there's....still..."
1. "So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause."
TOP TEN REASONS TO LOVE PADME AMIDALA
10. She's always dressed to kill.
9. Her husband is one of cinema's most famous characters.
8. She rules a planet at age fourteen - nuff said!
7. She doesn't let the stupid Trade Federation push her around.
6. Her accent when she's queen. So what if it's fake? It's still awesome.
5. She shares her memories and favorite passtimes with us - rare for a SW character.
4. She's got a practical head on her shoulders, but she also has vunerability, which makes her real.
3. Her gorgeous hair and eyes.
2. She shows that beauty and strength can indeed be mixed.
1. She's the mother of the twins who will save the galaxy.
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