[Boromir88]

From what I viewed, Smeagol was just an ordinary hobbit that just so happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.~alatar

In the films you are definitely left with that impression, but I don't think that is the right impression (of Gollum) to be leaving. Because not only does it create a wrong impression of Gollum but also misrepresents the Ring, and I also think causes some conflictions within the movie itself.

The Ring was without a doubt a factor with Smeagol. The Ring did take control. However, as Tolkien puts it in Letter 181, Smeagol would never have had to of endure such a test had he already not been 'predisposed' to evil:

'The domination of the Ring was much too strong for the mean soul of Smeagol. But he would never had to endure it if he had not become a mean sort of thief before it crossed his path.'

So, I think davem's visualisation is dead on (with the little angel and little devil). But the little devil already existed within Smeagol before coming across the Ring, and along with the Ring the little devil takes control over the weaker angel. As muc has the Ring was a factor, Smeagol's own 'evil' played just as big of a role (if not bigger) in his corruption to the Ring.

The movies give of a more sympathetic view of a nice little hobbit, living his own life, and he is thrust into an unfortunate situation that he loses control of. The Ring is a factor, but it is only half the story.

I understand Jackson maybe wanting to show Smeagol in a better light, showing him in a more sympathetic way. But the art of Tolkien, was that not only does he present Smeagol as this vicious mean-spiritted character that is out to 'throttle' the Hobbits. But he is also able to strike up pity and sympathy:

'Gollum!' cried Frodo. 'Gollum? Do you mean that this is the very Gollum-creature that Bilbo met? How Loathsome!'
'I think it is a sad story,' said the wizard, 'and it might have happened to others, even to some hobbits that I have known.'~The Shadow of the Past

We have Frodo come in, not understanding Gollum's full story, who just decides he's an evil wretch that should be killed. But, then Gandalf enters in with the sympathetic view of 'No, it's a sad story' and that this very think could have happened to others. Then Gandalf finishes up with, one day perhaps Frodo could understand:

'You ought to begin to understand, Frodo, after all you have heard,' cried Gandalf. 'He hated and loved it, as he hated and loved himself. He could not get rid of it. He had no will left in the matter.'~ibid

The ring does take over Gollum's will, but Gollum himself is just as much to blame for that as was the Ring. Frodo does end up understanding, and why Frodo is able to pity him once he actually does see him. So, Tolkien does create a sympathetic view for Gollum, even amongst all the 'evil' Gollum committed, and the bad light Gollum is put it.

I think the way Jackson shows it is just too simplistic, yes it does strike up more sympathy for Gollum, but the whole 'little hobbit running into a wrong situation at the wrong time' is just too simple. Also, it creates some conflictions in the movie which leaves viewers rather confused.

Jackson talked about why he had Faramir bring the Ring to Osgiliath and not reject the Ring in Hennuth Annun like Faramir had done in the books. He said that he thought Faramir's rejection of the Ring (in the books) lessened the power of the Ring, and he didn't want to go in that direction. So we have the whole Osgiliath business. But, I take a different view from Jackson's interpretation, it's not that the Ring's strength was lessened by Faramir's rejection of it, but it shows how strong of a character Faramir actually was; as opposed to his brother who was supposedly the 'hardier and better' of the two...indeed the 'best in Gondor.' So, when I view the scene I don't think 'wow the Ring is just so strong and powerful' I think 'Wow, Faramir is weakened.'

Plus Jackson shows moments where the Ring was rejected (by Gandalf and Galadriel) and he also throws in a made up moment where Aragorn rejects the Ring and sends Frodo 'away.' So, we have conflicting moments here of Jackson saying he wants to show the power and influence of the Ring...and that's why he has Faramir originally be tempted by it, then he makes up his own scene of Aragorn rejecting the Ring. Just doesn't make any sense and leads to confusions (which is why there have been so many questions regarding the Ring in various forums...probably just as many as Balrogs ).