Hermione/Emma Watson (Re: The Romance (was HBP))

[Miles]

> SSSusan:
> When you get to POA in your re-read, Richard, be sure to watch the
> movie just after.  I think you'll see what folks are saying then.
> Truly, Kloves gave all kinds of stuff to Hermione that belonged to
> Ron **and** to Harry.  The worst of which, from my perspective, was
> in the Shrieking Shack, when Hermione yells, "If you want to kill
> Harry, you'll have to kill us, too!"  That was RON'S line in the
> book, and there was absolutely no reason to give it to Hermione --
> Ron was right there!

Miles
I agree that this "character shaping" in the films is annoying. But it's 
just a consequence of the business, and the way the Potter films are made.
The films are no works of art. There's no intention to add depth to the 
story. The films are to entertain people, especially young people/kids. They 
are to be consumable without any stomach trouble, people shouldn't go home 
thinking too much.
Thus, the characters we know from the books are simplified. Hermione is the 
intellectual leader of the Trio. She knows everything, she is energetic, she 
solves the problems that can be solved by thinking or reading. Harry is the 
leader in action. He acts before thinking, he is charismatic and people look 
for him for leadership. Harry is essentially good and cares for "his" 
people. And Ron - Ron is the comedy sidekick.

To give Harry too much doubt, intelligent ideas or too much ckumsiness would 
add some depth to his character, but would make him less recognisable for 
the visitor in the theatres that are no Harry Potter experts. Hermione can't 
be helpless how to find fire for devil's snare in the PS stone, and Ron 
can't tell her what do do - the clear differences between the characters 
would be blurred too much (bad enough Ron has to play the chess game!).

Maybe one reason is that even the very simple characterisation of the Trio 
was barely feasible for the three young actors - I think they all improved 
very much, but none of them was another Haley Joel Osment when they started.

Miles