Hermione in the Movies: Too Glamorous to be a Role Model?

This is a very interesting article looking at the evolution (or de-evolution, depending on how you see it) of Hermione Granger’s character in the Harry Potter films.  It argues that writers and directors have given her too much of the typical “girly” quality and have minimized her braininess and logic to an unacceptable degree.  Of course, as a devout loyalist to the books, I cannot earnestly argue for the virtue of "film Hermione" over "book Hermione", but I do think some of the accusations made here are a bit inaccurate and unfair.

While I agree with some of the points made, most particularly the fact that yes, Emma Watson has grown more physically beautiful with each film and in the world of Hollywood/starlets/etc there is no way filmmakers would hesitate to use that to their advantage, I would argue that the film’s depiction is not quite as evil as The Guardian seems to believe.  They take issue with the fact that Hermione hesitates to destroy the horcrux in the final film, saying that she “can’t.”  The author asserts that the “real” Hermione would never say such a thing, and I wholeheartedly disagree.  Hermione Granger as we know and love her from the novels is very very intelligent and her ability to think critically under pressure saves many lives over the seven books, but she knows her limits.  Hermione is very dismissive of and at times insecure about her own bravery, particularly as compared to Harry and Ron’s more obvious boldness.  She has several significant moments of insecurity during the series, and those moments serve to not only teach her a lesson about herself but to show us as readers that she is not, in fact, superhuman.

I don’t think we can dismiss Hermione (even film Hermione) as a feminist character simply because she is physically attractive and occasionally doubts herself.  It’s what she does in the face of those doubts that really counts— she ultimately does destroy the horcrux in Deathly Hallows, not to mention kicks ass in the Battle of Hogwarts. And in the film Hermione’s bravest action comes later, when she sends Harry, her best friend and pseudo brother, off to die for the cause, something she has long suspected he would have to do.  Anyone who can take that kind of emotional blow in the midst of everything else going on is absolutely strong in my book, perfume and tight jeans or not (though for the record, I do think the perfume thing was a silly and unnecessary addition).

Movie Review: Crazy Stupid Love

We all know that I am not a fan of chick flicks (or at least, we all know now).  I make a general rule not to watch them unless coerced, and the trailers for this film looked very cheesy indeed, so I was initially hesitant.  However, Crazy Stupid Love is a pleasant surprise, as far as films of this genre go.  It has heart and some genuinely complicated characters, and a happy ending that, while trite, feels more deserved than in some other films.

The film examines several different stories, the common thread among which is Steve Carrell's character (Cal), who in the film's first scene sees his 20-some year marriage fall to pieces at his feet.  Julianne Moore is his cheating wife (her new interest is a smarmy as ever Kevin Bacon), who appears to be having the sort of suburban mid-life crisis of which I've become so fond this summer.  Understandably, Carrell's character falls into a pit of self-pity and long ramblings on the de-evolution of his relationship (but what is miserable for the character is an opportunity to see Carrell at his pathetic best).  Enter the requisite ladies' man sidekick, a vaguely douchy incarnation of Ryan Gosling (Jacob).

Obviously, Cal is in sore need of a mentor, and Jacob is only too happy to offer his services.  The scenes in which he teaches Cal how to be a womanizer are funny, but they mostly remind the viewer of the potential of these two actors, and the ways in which the sometimes weak writing suppresses their abilities.  I mean, between Carrell and Gosling you've got Emmy, Golden Globe, and Oscar nominations multiple times over, not to mention hours and hours of proof that each is fully capable of vanishing into a role and making even an annoying or despicable character intriguing, not to mention there is an uncanny chemistry between them.  It just seems a shame that much of their mutual potential feels wasted.  There are a few moments, however, particularly toward the film's conclusion, where both are permitted to bust out their dramatic acting chops, and in my opinion, both shine brightest in these scenes.

Emma Stone is charming as always, though you're left wishing you got a little more from her character (she seems to be built mostly on a cliche archetype that's never fully fleshed out), particularly after an unexpected twist leading into the film's third act.  Julianne Moore is similarly short-changed, and it is difficult to sympathize with her or understand her actions, something that feels like it should have been prioritized a little more.  On the whole it seems that the development of the female characters has been sacrificed so that both leading men can be more effectively transformed (but then, what else is new?).

Overall, though, this film provides an interesting study of characters in emotional flux, particularly Cal and Jacob.  It also has some truly cheesy moments that I could have done without, but I guess you can't get away with writing a cliche-free romantic comedy these days.  Gosling and Carrell are worth the ticket price, and if you adore the misery of the (upper) middle class as wholeheartedly as I do, then this is definitely a summer movie for you to check out.

Movie Review: Horrible Bosses--Far From Horrible

Most summer comedies rely a little too much on the fact that theaters are one of the most frequented air-conditioned havens during the sticky months of June, July, and August.  They don't try too hard to be intelligent or well-plotted, and they'll cast just about anyone they can get in order to use big names as a draw.  When I initially saw the promos for this film, particularly the apparent stunt casting of Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, and Kevin Spacey, I was a little wary.  It just didn't seem like this movie could be as entertaining as I wanted it to be.

However, I insisted on watching it because the trio of Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day is pretty much my comedy-ensemble dream come true.  All three men are hilarious individually, so it only made sense that they'd be thrice as amusing together.  Very fortunately, this hypothesis proved correct.  Even in moments when the plot seemed a little hole-ridden or shaky, the three protagonists kept things on an even keel, particularly Day, whose character was basically a marginally more intelligent version of the dopey bartender he plays on Always Sunny (but this is a play to his comedic strengths, and it renders the type-casting less problematic than you'd think). 

The plot was predictable at times, but had some twists where they were sorely needed.  I loved that the movie didn't turn the guys into overnight criminal masterminds or anything-- in fact, if anything they seemed to grow less competent as the film wore on.  I also enjoyed the way they utilized the famous faces they compiled, allowing all three actors (who portrayed the guys' respective bosses) to have some hilarious moments without overshadowing the film's main focus. 

This movie has a lot of laughs, many to be found in pleasantly unexpected places (a guest appearance by Jamie Foxx is one notable instance).  And if you can accept the plot as a whole for the ridiculousness of its premise, then the story is pretty damn enjoyable.  Overall, a great summer comedy (though not, I will add, for the whole family-- some parents and their kids were seated behind us and felt obligated to walk out 15 minutes in).  Go check it out in theaters now.

Book Review: The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta

While this book follows in my apparent trend this summer of reading about unhappy suburbanites and their seemingly infinite discontent, The Abstinence Teacher is a witty, sharp breath of fresh air.  Unlike Franzen's Freedom, which dwells overlong on a range of different tedious thing, Perrotta's story follows two intriguing characters (not to mention a cast of equally intriguing supporting players) as their lives unravel.  Ruth is the titular abstinence teacher, but as a fiercely liberal gal, this is definitely not a career path she's chosen for herself.  Tim is a former junkie and alcoholic who has jumped on the Jesus bandwagon in the hopes of finding redemption for his colorful past.  Perrotta does an excellent job setting the scene, giving us both characters' histories in a way that didn't have me skimming through to figure out what the point was, and paints a nuanced portrait of life in this suburb, from the youth soccer team that brings about Ruth and Tim's first meeting, to the crazy for Christ Tabernacle church.  Most everything in this novel feels so real you could practically reach out and touch it, and it was so easy to imagine real people living these lives almost exactly.  This is what contemporary fiction is supposed to look like.

Some specific things I really enjoyed included the characterization, and the note of sarcastic cynicism that looms over most of the book's proceedings.  Ruth is sharp and funny, her sometimes derisive tone adding color to a character who could have easily fallen too far into the role of victim.  And Tim's alternately dopey and insightful awareness of his world was equally refreshing, though in an entirely different way.  It was interesting to see someone who Ruth initially wrote off as a zealot be humanized in a way that generates true sympathy, even from this devout non-believer.  I also liked that it was a love story that strayed from the traditional construction.  Right from the beginning, the reader (and Ruth, as she later comments) think there might be a brewing "opposites attract" type of spark between the two, but it does not come to fruition until the book's end (and even then it's more of a conjecture of what's to come in the couple's future than anything).  I liked that this book dodged the pitfalls of writing the typical "romance"; I think any attempt to smash Ruth and Tim together before their characters were in precisely the right place would have come off as sloppy and formulaic.  What's great about the tension Perrotta builds, however, isn't that they don't hook up in a cliched way, it's that halfway through the book you almost want them to, just because it clearly needs to happen.  His choice is better, ultimately, but the fact that that moment occurs at all is a testament to the story he's written.

I would certainly recommend this book, which is the first I've read of Tom Perrotta's (more will surely be going on my list now).  It is definitely a great summer read, quick and absorbing but without sacrificing the quality of writing.

Additionally, IMDB informs me that this is currently in development to be made into a film.  I think it has the potential for a great adaptation, and I would be very interested to see it.  Even better, Steve Carrell and Sandra Bullock are rumored to be involved and potentially taking on the roles of Tim and Ruth, respectively.  Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

I like to think it goes without saying, but SPOILER ALERT for anyone who hasn't watched the film yet.

I feel I should preface this with an explanation of why this film is so important to me, and what is probably a contributing factor in my enjoyment of it (because I know there will be people who disliked portions of the adaptation).  Deathly Hallows, and particularly the second half of the book, has always been the most resonant and emotional for me to read, so there was something uniquely both devastating and wonderful about seeing the moments that have become such a part of me unfold on the screen four years after the fact.  Any complaints I have are pretty nit-picky, and I think on the whole the filmmakers put the care and passion into this film that it so wholly deserves, and it shows in nearly every frame.  Ultimately, I'm very very satisfied with it, and I honestly could not have asked for a better ending to such a spectacular phase of my life.

But let's talk details, shall we?  I will try my best to choose a few highlights (which will inevitably turn into many highlights) from the final film that really stood out.

The most anticipated kiss in recent movie history:  Say what you will about liberties taken in the details, I thought it was done perfectly.  It was a great moment to have it happen, and it was done in a way that made it special without dwelling on it too much, calling us back to Harry's line from the book during this event:  "Is this the time?  There's a war going on here!"


Snape's redemption:  Yes, changes were made, and some purists will be unhappy about that.  But on the whole I thought the way it was handled was really great, and that it befit the overall tone of the film.  I liked that Snape's memories kind of merged with a montage of significant interactions with Harry over the years, allowing us to journey through their relationship while establishing Lily's importance to Snape.

Neville:  I'm fairly certain the alternate title of this film is The One Where Neville is Awesome All the Time, and a Total BAMF.  Seriously, I am so glad that he was given this time to shine, and that the film really delved into the leader Neville became at Hogwarts in Harry's absence.  Matthew Lewis gave a great performance in his final turn, and absolutely did this beloved character justice.

Harry & Ginny:  As I've previously asserted, the films have not really handled the development of this relationship as well as they ought to have done.  Until now, that is.  I was pleasantly surprised by the number of little moments we were given in DH2 showing their affection for one another, and though I was disappointed they omitted his walking past her into the forest, I was grateful for the scene on the stairs, with the kiss and Ginny's "I know" in response to Harry's unspoken declaration before parting ways to fight.  It was an understated moment to be sure, but somehow it was just about perfect.

Gringotts:  This was almost exactly as I envisioned it, exciting and nerve-wracking and even at moments humorous (Helena Bonham Carter playing Hermione posing as Bellatrix was every bit as fantastic as I'd hoped), and it was a well-paced introduction to the rapid deterioration to come.  Also, was it just me or did Ron look kind of weirdly attractive with that beard?


Harry's walk toward death:  Gosh.  Every single thing about this was amazing, and that is impressive because my hopes for it could not have been higher.  And Daniel Radcliffe gave a performance that I don't think anyone realized he was capable of.  From the moment Harry emerges from the pensieve to the moment Voldemort's spell hits him, I could not stop the tears.  So much of it was taken directly from the pages of the book, and the parts that weren't were just perfect (Hermione's response when Harry tells them he's a horcrux?  I thought I could cry at that alone for a hundred years).  The resurrection stone bit was nearly verbatim, and judging by the silence in our theater punctuated only by sniffles and quiet sobs, I was not the only one who's heart was breaking.  I know a lot of people (myself included) were anxious about the execution of this scene on film, but the filmmakers made it more beautiful and heart-wrenching than I dared to hope.

Supporting players:  For all of the actors, this final film was (obviously) their last chance to really make it count.  And my goodness, did they.  So many of the minor characters had fantastic moments to shine in this film, standouts among them including Luna Lovegood, Professor McGonagall (her duel with Snape was downright bitchin'), Dumbledore, and the Weasley twins.  And even those who didn't have a notable part to play in the final film were present in an entirely different way; not to mention, it was fun to see a kind of proverbial curtain call for so many of the unsung heroes of these films, and of the wizarding world.

The fight:  The battle of Hogwarts was fucking epic.  There's just no other way to say it.  I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, despite the fact that I literally knew everything that would happen within its duration.  And I knew going into it that the filmmakers were going to draw out the final fight between Harry and Voldemort

Multiple perspectives:  I loved how much the film was willing to break (albeit briefly) from Harry's limited point of view in order to show us what other important characters were up to.  I loved that we got to see Ron and Hermione go into the chamber of secrets, and all the glimpses we got of Voldemort and his followers during the battle.  This really added much-needed layers to the film that would have otherwise been very difficult to translate from the book.

The ending:  I was concerned that with so much focus on the battle itself, the filmmakers might short-change the ending a bit.  My fears were unfounded, though, because I think it really wrapped up on just the right note, with the trio standing together amid the ruins of Hogwarts in silent solidarity, looking ahead to whatever might be on the horizon.  I was even pleasantly surprised by the epilogue, which turned out much better than early leaked photos of the original shoot had hinted.  I think the best part of it was the call-back to Harry's first journey on the Hogwarts express, with the chocolate frog crawling up the window as Albus Severus greeted his new schoolmates.  Seeing Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny one last time, smiling and looking as though the burdens of the past had finally been lifted from their shoulders, was much more cathartic than I'd expected.

Despite having written all of this, I still don't feel like I've quite explored all of my thoughts on this film.  I think that's due in large part to the dull shock of it all being over-- I literally sat in my chair and stared at the credits, unable to speak, when the movie ended.  I think in a way I'm still feeling that, the disbelief that I've actually seen the last film and I really am out of excuses to obsess over this thing that has been such a huge part of my life, and which has given me so much.

Emmys 2011: Disappointments

The Emmy nominations came out this morning, and after all my hard work predicting the nominees, I confess myself (on the whole) very disappointed.  It feels like the voters were just lazy this year, for the most part, picking familiar shows they've nominated in the past-- such as Glee, which was God-awful this season-- and when in doubt, just nominating everyone from Modern Family (and they're funny, but not rule-out-all-competition funny).  Among the robbed:

Nick Offerman:  It was predicted across the board that he would be getting a nod and possibly even a win for his portrayal of Ron Swanson.  I can't imagine I'm the only one who gasped in shock when his name did not appear on the list.

Community:  Again, no Emmy love for this fantastic little show, which has more wit in one cold-open than Glee had it's entire second season (sorry, I'm just feeling really bitter about all the recognition for Glee, if you couldn't tell).

How I Met Your Mother:  I got excited when I read that it had received 5 nominations... until I saw that not one of those was in the major categories.  A tragedy, considering this season was much stronger than last.

Parks and Recreation:  Yes, they got 3, and I'm thrilled about that.  And maybe I'm being greedy, but I still feel that the best comedy on television (and yes, I will keep saying that forevermore) should probably have received more nods than the one of worst comedies on television (Glee).  Amy and the show had better win come September 18th, or I will have some serious anger to overcome.

And on the whole, way too much love for shows that had mediocre to downright weak seasons:  30 Rock, Glee, and Modern Family (still love it, but it genuinely wasn't as funny this year).  Branch out a little, Emmy voters, the rest of us have.

Magic Movie Moments with Harry, Part 7b: Deathly Hallows, Part 1

I am definitely guilty of liking each film better than the last, but I think that, had this installment landed anywhere in the lineup, I would have pronounced it the best adaptation of the bunch.  I'm interested to see if Part 2 will outstrip Part 1; it definitely has its work cut out for it.  There's a long list of things I love about Deathly Hallows Part 1, and I've managed to narrow it down to these few.

The Journey Begins
I really like the opening to this film (after the Minister's speech), where we kind of check in with each member of the trio before they're reunited and see what they're up to.  Ron is at home, visibly dreading leaving his warm, loving family behind; Harry is in the process of moving out of the Dursley home; and Hermione is by far the most tragic, erasing herself from her parents' memories so that they won't be targeted because of her.  Add in the tremendously beautiful swelling music of Desplat's "Obliviate" as they march off toward their respective destinations, and you've got pretty much the perfect introduction to the dark and winding story we're about to embark upon.

Undercover at the Ministry
Okay, so they definitely botch this mission, more than a little bit.  But it's still so cool to see our favorite trio attempt an actual, grown-up infiltration of the ever-more-threatening Ministry of Magic.  Employing Polyjuice Potion, they disguise themselves as three employees and embark on the search for their first horcrux.  I liked the point the film made to use three adults that look like the possible future versions of the three actors in question.

Godric's Hollow Graveyard sequence
Gosh...my heart.  I still get a little choked up watching this scene, just because of what it represents for Harry and his journey.  This scene in the film is particularly well-executed, because just about everything about it is beautifully understated-- the acting, the music, even the scenery-- and it works so, so well.

Tale of the Three Brothers
Round of applause for super sick animation!  Not only do we get a nice little morality tale weaved into an already wildly complex story, but we got to watch it actually unfold on the screen.  I'd been very apprehensive of how they were going to handle the explanation for this, and I think illustrating the story was the best choice they could have made.  And apart from that, there's just something very pleasant about Emma Watson's reading voice, no?

Malfoy Manor
Apart from being one of the more chilling scenes in the film, this is another instance of just taking a look at the talent crammed into one room in these films.  Helena Bonham Carter, Helen McRory, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton, Timothy Spall...I could continue the list, but won't.  Emma Watson is spectacular in this scene-- I knew what was going to happen and I was still genuinely frightened for her.  That it is the beginning of the slope into Part 2 is icing on the cake, as it provides the perfect segway into the "shit's about to get real(er)" portion of the story.