Dumbing down of Ron

[sophiamcl <sophiamcl@hotmail.com>]

bboy_mn said:(emphasis added)
I liked Rupert performance. When he was scared in the car/tree and in
the forest, that intensity got to me. It amplified the scene because
he had it seem real. He has a very expressive face AND NOT JUST FOR 
COMEDY. All his emotion even subtle one come across clearly in hi s
expression and body language. But they didn't give him anything to
balance his role. 

Me:
Exactly. Though Columbus capitalized on Rupert's ability to "make 
faces" and his sense of comedic timing and delivery (which at its 
best is as demanding an art, if not more so, than "high drama")at the 
expense of a more nuanced Ron, Rupert performed the task he was given 
expertly. Every look, expression, emotion conveyed, though in 
caricature format sometimes, was spot on every time. I'm certain CoS 
showed us only a narrow range of Rupert's capabilites. Remeber his 
performance in PS--100% natural delivery all the time. It didn't feel 
like he was acting at all. He was just being Ron. (Right now I'm 
thinking especially of his "WOW" when he sees Harry's invisibility 
for the first time, or that little embarrased gesture he makes with 
his arms in the flying lesson when he says "shut up Harry"). As much 
as I LOVED Dan as Harry in PS, I thought Rupert gave by far the most 
convincing performance overall of the trio in that one. Furthermore, 
I thought Rupert managed the infamous hugging-scene (cringe-worthy or 
not)in CoS beautifully (the LOOK, the hesitation, the voice), and is 
an indication of the kind of performance we might hope for if Klove's 
and Cuaron give him the chance.

Sophia