Harry's reaction on the bridge (was the greatest difference)

[GulPlum]

At 06:29 15/06/04 , clshannon at aol.com wrote:

<snip>

>I got the impression that we had only come in to the conversation after it
>had been going on for awhile - hence, avoiding the rather awkward reaction 
>that
>Harry would have to have ;)

<snip>

I've said before that I made the same assumption. However, on closer 
inspection,
even the script implies that there must been have some reaction on Harry's 
part. Lupin and Hary are standing side by side, and Harry talks about what 
he hears when the Dementors are around; Lupin then makes some awkward body 
movements (nice touch) and says "the first time I saw you, I recognised you 
.... they're your mother's eyes". Then there's a beat's pause (presumably a 
space for a reaction on Harry's part), and Lupin responds to that *pause* 
(great work on Thewlis's part) with "Yes, oh yes, I knew her". This is 
*meant* to be a revelation, not only to the audience, but to Harry.

My whole issue is with what happens during that pause. Put simply, Lupin 
has nothing to respond to, as there is absolutely no change in Harry's 
expression. At that moment, his face is in full profile to us so whilst we 
can't see his eyes, he doesn't flinch, he doesn't do *anything*. He has the 
same more-or-less vacant expression he had when talking about the 
Dementors. The worst thing is that what Lupin says implies that there has 
been a reaction!

I don't deny that this must have been a very difficult scene for Dan to 
film. It's one take which lasts about a minute and a half, the focus is on 
him and he doesn't have anything to say throughout, and it's his face which 
has to do to the talking. Nevertheless, he doesn't pull if off.

I'm fully aware that what I suggested last night doesn't fit in with the 
pace, rhythm or tone of the scene as filmed, but given that poor Dan was 
unable to do the scene convincingly without words, he should have been 
given the words to do so.

<lots more snipped; slight change of subject>

>We accept in the books that the Potters were killed by Voldemort, but did she
>actually write that scene in detail as it happens? No, not that I remember.

She definitely didn't, and that's one of the mysteries left to be revealed. 
Hence so much debate when the PS/SS movie came out, because it included 
some of that scene, which JKR had to write for them. There are absolutely 
things about that night which JKR is keeping back as a surprise.

--
GulPlum AKA Richard, hoping to be caught up with the list by nightfall