More reflections and ratings of the actors - very, very long

[Martin Smith]

Hi everybody!

First post on this list, some of you may recognise me from the book list.
I wanted to express my opinions on the actors, giving them grades in my
special range 0-6, where
6 = Extraordinary, Edward Norton in Fight Club or American History X(very
rarely given, the kind of acting performance that makes you want to see a
movie over and over, just because of that)
5 = Very, very good, Ewan MacGregor in Trainspotting
4 = Good
3 = Okay, if it's a smaller part, otherwise, no, I don't think so
2 = Pretty lame
1 = Bad, Steven Segal in just about any movie
0 = Embarrassing, Anna Nicole Smith (and we're *not* related, AFAIK) (also
very rarely given, it'd had to be so uncommonly bad that you'd actually
leave the theatre if a performance of grade 0 was given by someone playing a
lead character)

Get it? Good, let's see then:

On Fri, 23 Nov 2001 01:23:15 EST, Schlobin1 at aol.com wrote:

>Here are my ratings, with hope that they will inspire spirited dialogue.
>
>Harry Potter/Daniel Radcliffe.
>Rating: Fine
>He was okay.  He was not spectacular. His best moments were when he lit
>up.upon winning the Quidditch match, at Christmas..he was pretty wooden
>serving food at the Dursleys, and in the Dark Forest.

I never felt like I got to know Harry the way I "know" him from the books,
and sometimes Dan delivers his lines quite stiffly, but overall, given that
Harry is supposed to be somewhat introvert after years of Dursley abuse, I
guess that makes sense.

Grade: 4

>Ron Weasley/Rupert Grint.
>Rating: Extraordinary.
[snip]

As far as his height and lack of freckles go, I couldn't blame Rupert. It
doesn't really matter, because he carries the part with such confidence that
I firmly believe that, despite what the books say, Ron actually /is/
slightly smaller than Harry. Rupert Grint shows repeatedly that he can
deliver whatever Ron's emotions are at the moment, from his amazement over
Harry's scar, to the uncertainty he feels at the giant chess set.

Grade: 5

>Hermione Granger/Emma Watson
>Rating: Fine.
>She was okay, but not extraordinary. Her best moments were setting fire to
>Snape's robes, and demolishing the Devil's snare.

I beg to differ. Remember Anna Paquin in "The Piano" (a part she recieved an
Oscar for, BTW)? Or Natalie Portman in "The Professional" aka "Leon"? Parts
where children, supposedly with much less talent and experience totally
outshines their more famous, experienced and well-paid thespian
counterparts? Emma Watson now joins the group of unforgettable child acting
performances big time. "Charmed, I'm sure." Her portrayal of especially, but
not limited to, the bossy know-it-all Herm seems to be in the beginning of
the film (and book), is nothing short of brilliant! Emma Watson IS Hermione.
Tell literally everyone she's super! So there.

Grade: 6

>Albus Dumbledore/Richard Harris.
>Rating: Fine
[snip]
>By God, he looks and sounds like Albus Dumbledore and he DOES twinkle when
he
>says that the whole school knows about Harry's encounter with Quirrell. He
>WOULD have done better had he been given the comic/eccentric lines, and I
am
>hopeful that he will get off his high horse and do better in the movies to
>come..What wonderful costumes they gave him to wear.

I would agree that Mr Harris doesn't get to be that humouristic, eccentric
headmaster we all know and love, so therefore his perfomance can't really
reach the top. I am sure that, in later films, where Dumbledore gets more
concerned, Harris' acting becomes more in its right element. So far, I
didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

Grade: 4

>Severus Snape/Alan Rickman
>Rating: Extraordinary
>Rickman brings Snape to life - swooping around like a bat. I'm really
annoyed
>at the script that makes Snape look like a good guy, who is misunderstood.
He
>is far more nasty, capricious and totally unfair in the book.
[snip]

I couldn't agree more. I could try, but I would not be succesful. Even
though he is not given the lines to demonstrate Snape's nastiness, Rickman
somehow manages to show the audience that anyway, using that subtle,
miniscule acting one would expect from Snape.

Grade: 5

>Rubeus Hagrid/Robbie Coltrane
>Rating: Extraordinary
>Coltrane breathes life into Hagrid in a wonderful, wonderful performance
that
>is enhanced  by the script. I could not really understand how Hagrid could
be
>so careless in releasing information until I saw the movie. His affection
for
>Harry, his involvement with dogs, and dragons, and other magical creatures,
>his devotion to Dumbledore..they all shine through..

I have to admit, I wasn't to fond of our Rubeus before seeing the film (to
much of a caricature of a teddybearesque craftsman). With Coltrane's help, I
now like him a lot better. Good job.

Grade: 5

>Minerva McGonagall: Dame Maggie Smith
>Rating: Extraordinary
>Maggie Smith fills out and enhances McGonagall's character just as I hoped
>she would.
>I hope JKR will be inspired to see how adult women can be powerful and
>important.
[snip]

Yep, I agree, Dame Maggie Smith (and we're *not* related, AFAIK) is a superb
actress, and she carries the role with stern hands. To small a part to get a
higher grade, sadly.

Grade: 4

>Uncle Dursley: Richard Griffiths
>Rating: Between Not Very Good and Fine
[snip]

>Aunt Petunia: Fiona Shaw
>Rating: Fine Minus
[snip]
>It's almost as if all the Dursley characters played it as a joke.I guess it
>was okay. I really liked the curlers in her hair in the hut on the sea
scene.

I wasn't too pleased with the Dursleys. In Griffith's and Shaw's portrayals
they seem to be more of the Disney variety of nasty step-parents, and it
gives the beginning of the film a much more childish tone than I would see
fit. Please be more evil next time!

Grade: 3

>Professor Quirrell/Ian Hart
>Rating: Replace this one
>I thought he was awful. I'm glad they don't have to replace them.

Sorry, but I actually hope Quirrell isn't dead, just so they can get Ian
Hart back for film 5, 6 or 7. I thought Hart made just the right stammering,
inscure DADA teacher, as well as the Voldie-possessed villain. He is not
supposed to stammer like a native stammer, because Quirrell is also putting
up an act. He is not supposed to be a Gary Oldman-type evil overlord, since
he is merely the servant of one. Hart balances this very well, IMO.
Grade: 4

>Nearly Headless Nick: John Cleese
>Rating: Not very good, flat performance, lackluster

Too well, he wasn't there much. John Cleese was actually my number five
actor in the Monty Python gang (given how much I *adore* MP, that would put
him in my top #50 altogether), but that was ages ago, and now he's been
given a part lightyears from the hysterical Basil Fawlty-type he can portray
so well. I wasn't pleased, and I must say "Ni!" to him, until he gives a
better performance. Ni!
Grade: 2

>Draco Malfoy/Tom Felton
>Rating: Fine
>He was fine. Wasn't quite as nasty as I would have liked. Much cuter than I
>think he should be, given his portrayal in Canon.

Give him more screentime and develop the Malfoy-Potter feud further. I am
sure, after what I saw in PS, that Felton can smirk just as well as the
Buckbeak-threatening, Dementor-impersonating, Position-as-seeker-buying
little brat I picture when reading.
Grade: 4


All in all, great performances in a good film. I hereby found
W.E.I.G.H.T.L.E.S.S. (Watson, Emma *Is* Granger, Hermione. Tell Literally
Everyone She's Super!), and the entry fee is the usual two knuts, which will
go directly to the good cause of bribing the Academy into giving her an
Award. Not that it's needed, though, her performance speaks for itself.

Well, that would be all for me. I return after my second screening, which is
tonight (I wasn't too focused the first time, being in an overwhelmingly
strong need of a visit to the you-know-what, sitting in the middle of the
theatre, unable to sneak out. Hopefully I'm more focused this time.).

Martin Smith