Harry Potter and the Simpering Females

Well, now you know the biggest thing I didn’t like about Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We finally saw it yesterday. And if you haven’t seen it – STOP READING! Get off the computer, or at least go play solitaire.

Now that those who are still reading are ONLY those who have seen the movie, we can get down to business. I loved the movie, and I hated the movie. Some parts were beautiful – the dragons, and the Durmstrang ship, and the carriage from Beauxbatons. The Goblet of Fire was suitably impressive, and the scene in the graveyard, and Lord Voldemort, were chilling. It seemed right that Voldemort would even have a slight sense of humor – it makes him more chilling.

But I hated the treatment of women in the movie. In the book, when Hermione argues with Ron after the ball, she storms off and he is left behind. In the movie, he storms off, and she sinks to the floor, crying, and removes her shoes – like it’s all too much for her. She’s “one of the best witches of her generation” according to book (and movie) three, but in the fourth movie, she seems like an accessory. I know they can’t put all of her book scenes in the movie (not if they want to have the movie finish in one evening), but, when they do have her in there, they should get her personality right.

 

I found Madame Maxim disappointing also. For the most part, she’s a prop for Hagrid’s romantic interest. In the book, she is an impressive woman; in the movie she’s merely tall.  She listens to Hagrid talk and gets his hand off of her behind. She could have wandered in from any well-dressed giant's bar.   In the movie, they changed her school, Beauxbatons, to be an all-girl school. That would have been fine had they not had this “sighing” type of entrance with the little butterflies. Obviously, they are really girly – as opposed to the fierce masculine entrance of the all-male Durmstrang team (which was well done).

Overall, the female characters are not portrayed as being as capable as the men (except for Professor Flitwick who is merely an object of fun in this movie). But, all of these women and girls are supposed to be powerful witches, or witches-in-training. Instead, they simper. Or run after Viktor Krum on the beach – and while that is in the book, the movie-makers conveniently left out the numerous boys who are following Fleur around (after all, she is part veela).

Fleur is the worst. She should head back over to whatever teenage slasher film she came from (and I mean the movie character not the actress who, I’m sure, was just acting as she was directed). Fleur is supposed to be the champion of her school, but, if she has any competence beyond running and screaming (while looking cute in a form fitting sweatsuit and glancing over her shoulder occasionally), or swimming and panicking (while looking cute in a bathing suit and…oh whatever), that competence isn’t shown.

 

At least they didn’t mess up Professor McGonagall’s character – you can’t picture Dame Maggie Smith putting up with that. And, in fact, she’s got a few wonderful scenes – one where she tells off Mad-Eye Moody (right), and one where she teaches the students to dance.  And, another minor character, moaning Myrtle, has a hilarious (but in-character) scene with Harry in the prefects' bath.

 

 

I almost forgot one new character, however. Miranda Richardson did a great job (and was allowed to do so) with Rita Skeeter (left).

And, lest you think this is just a feminist rant, it’s no small thing when the movie-makers mess up half the characters in a book including three of the main ones.

Comments

[Moominpappa]

You go, girl! Hermione is possibly my favorite Harry Potter character (after Hagrid - Oh, I shouldna told ya that) and a lot of the story's tone comes from her almost reidiculous discipline and her iron cored sense of loyalty and honor. She's "Martha" - and always in control of the situation. A weak Hermione, even in the face of her growing complex emotions, isn't Hermione. No, she's going to need all of her strength and cunning to spend her life looking after Ron, afterall. I bet it's been a family tradition that it's tough being Mrs Weasley - of whatever generation. Imagine raising Fred and George? Don't think those genes will be back? No, she'll need to be a towering character of enormous patience and good sense - in a word, Hermione.

[Rukiye Piskin]

Daniel Radcliffe
I think Daniel is the best character! He looks just how i imagened him. A young ,skinny ,hot ,tall and adventurous boy. He is Harry Potter! Dan is great!
Best character ever! He is sooooooooo hot! Nearly everyone I know thinks hes so hot. They nearly all have a crush on him! I mean it! Before he was an actor i bet every girl in like every grade had a crush on him. Well i do!
Emma Watson
Now lots of people thing by the time the goblet of fire came out she looked as cute as ever.That pink dress looked brill on her though!I think that Emma is Hermione! She is so suitible!I loved that bit where Emma hugs Dan and that stupid Marinda Richardson found them out. I loved that way Emma goes all gobsmacked. The next day Emma plays it sooooo well when she reads the paper aloud. My fave Emma mome is when she tries to tell Dan what Rupert told her to tell him. She just did it soooooooo well. And then Rupert gives Dan a look of pure disgust.
Rupert Grint
Oh the best thing about Rupert he can make such great faces! It makes me laugh my socks off every time! I think Rupert is great for Ron! He is brill at being an actor.
I love Rupert as a friend. But i would never have a crush on him! Seriously! I do no way think Rupert is handsome,hot or attractive!
Tom Felton
Tom is brill for Draco, cause he can smirk at something so well! He looks someone who is in trouble alot! Tom is good looking, that is the only promblem! If Tom was ugly that would be fat or smelly he would be even better!
Maggie Smith
Great for Mc Gonagall! Whoever chose her, I think it was a great move for the film. I mean she looks like a teacher. And that way she can scold so well is so scary! I mean she is natrually a great teacher!
You can never feel hatred for her unless your mean. But I always feel affection
for her!
Michael Gambon
Micheal is no way near as good at playing Dumbledore as the old one. I really miss the old one. Michael is quite good, but not close enough! I think they should find a new one!
He is so important part of all the characters! I think he gets really shocked in the goblet of fire.
Alan Rickman
Oh god, and Alan,who could choose someone to be Snape better than Alan? Develish,bitter,mean,horrid and spiteful. He looks like he works with potions.
My fave Alan mome Daniel Radcliffe
I think Daniel is the best character! He looks just how i imagened him. A young ,skinny ,hot ,tall and adventurous boy. He is Harry Potter! Dan is great!
Best character ever! He is sooooooooo hot! Nearly everyone I know thinks hes so hot. They nearly all have a crush on him! I mean it! Before he was an actor i bet every girl in like every grade had a crush on him. Well i do!
Emma Watson
Now lots of people thing by the time the goblet of fire came out she looked as cute as ever.That pink dress looked brill on her though!I think that Emma is Hermione! She is so suitible!I loved that bit where Emma hugs Dan and that stupid Marinda Richardson found them out. I loved that way Emma goes all gobsmacked. The next day Emma plays it sooooo well when she reads the paper aloud. My fave Emma mome is when she tries to tell Dan what Rupert told her to tell him. She just did it soooooooo well. And then Rupert gives Dan a look of pure disgust.
Rupert Grint
Oh the best thing about Rupert he can make such great faces! It makes me laugh my socks off every time! I think Rupert is great for Ron! He is brill at being an actor.
I love Rupert as a friend. But i would never have a crush on him! Seriously! I do no way think Rupert is handsome,hot or attractive!
Tom Felton
Tom is brill for Draco, cause he can smirk at something so well! He looks someone who is in trouble alot! Tom is good looking, that is the only promblem! If Tom was ugly that would be fat or smelly he would be even better!
Maggie Smith
Great for Mc Gonagall! Whoever chose her, I think it was a great move for the film. I mean she looks like a teacher. And that way she can scold so well is so scary! I mean she is natrually a great teacher!
You can never feel hatred for her unless your mean. But I always feel affection
for her!
Michael Gambon
Micheal is no way near as good at playing Dumbledore as the old one. I really miss the old one. Michael is quite good, but not close enough! I think they should find a new one!
He is so important part of all the characters! I think he gets really shocked in the goblet of fire.
Alan Rickman
Oh god, and Alan,who could choose someone to be Snape better than Alan? Develish,bitter,mean,horrid and spiteful.My fave Alan mome is when Rupert,Daniel and Emma are chatting and Alan comes along and nearly bashes their heads togeather.

[Prodeosum]

Lovely to find another Harry Potter fan! I agree; I hate what this movie did to Hermione. She's my favorite character, but they've really dumbed her down for the movies I think. I loved her in the first film, but it seems as if she has gotten "cooler" and stupider with each successive film since then. Doggone it, I want my bushy-haired, bossy know-it-all back!

Ah, well. At least we still have Snape, who has always been my hero, even before there were movies with Alan Rickman playing him. :)

BTW, thanks for your comment on my blog; I'm glad you liked the article. I'm enjoying checking out your blog, too -- nice to find another "Rent" fan, too! *waves*

[M Light]

:::Waving back!:::

I think the movies are trying to make them more into "typical" teens - and ignoring their unique personalities.

[Rukiye Piskin]

DEFINATLY! Emma(Hermione)rocks!She is like so ace. And yes its brill to see more harry potter fans.If anyone is a hp fan here then i will so "wave".I can't wait for "Harry Potter and the half blood prince".I haven't been on this site since , WOW! October,4,2007! Its 2008 now. That is ages. Plus if anone from school sees the name Rukiye Piskin, yes it is the same Rukiye that went to Teagues Bridge and had ace frieng called Rachel M, Connor B,Tom H,sian C, Chloe T,Courtney B,Keighlie G,Jake G,JJ(Joshua Johnson)and Jack S.Oh, and Miss Charles , Mrs Inwood and all the teachers and staff(Mrs Thomas,Mrs Duffet etc).So now you know your old friend, thats if you knew before.Anyway I have been a Harry Potter no1 fan since i was 7.So see ya everyone. i read everyones messages(prodeosum,M Light and Moominpappa).So thanks anyone who read my post last time Bye xx #wave#

[Mevlut]

hi Rukiye

the world is so small isn't it? I didn't know that you have been a harry potter fan!

Mevlut

[Sydney]

Well written article.

[M Light]

Thank you!

[Kia Piskin.]

Why yes Dad, the world is a very small place indeed. I only just saw your message, it's been years since I've been on this fansite. I didn't expect to see a message from you tbqh. (':

[Mike]

We can go back and forth about the book versus the movie. We can say that we liked this part better in the book or we liked how they showed this part in the movie. At the end of the day a movie is someone else's imagination. When you read a book you get to imagine what things look like. When you watch a movie you get to see how someone else or a group of people envision the Harry Potter world to be.