Gen. Articles - Romance in the Movies

Discussion for Romance in the Movies: Why They've Got it Right (http://www.mugglenet.com/editorials/madampuddifoot/edit-doctor01.shtml) by the Ninth Doctor.

I agree with this article 100%. In fact, they actually started the romance earlier and there was a lot more romance in movie 3 than in the book for sure. I only joined the internet fandom in June last year and I only started reading the books after watching the PoA movie. However, I have watched the movies on cable without having any idea about the different shipping, or reading the books, etc. and I had no clue it wasn't 100% clear from the movies that it's Ron and Hermione. I remember asking my sister: "Why didn't she hug Ron? I can't believe they are feeling sexual tension and they are so young." I remember a post I made when someone spoke about the H/Hr moments in the film and I was like "What?" "Where?" "When did that happen?" When the moments were listed, it was then I came to understand that whenever Harry and Hermione interact in anyway, it's apparently a sign of true romantic love. I don't think I'm above average when it comes to simply understanding a movie so I think your average audience member can pick up the obvious signs as well. I can see it now because as I said, once Harry and Hermione appear on screen alone together, apparently it's romantic. I never get how people can not realize that if you're that comfortable around someone you're not dating, it probably means there's no sexual tension and hence platonic, which it is.

Cheers :tu:

OK I hadn't even realised that some people were complaing that GoF was H/Hr! I dragged my husband to see it (he enjoyed it by the way) and he hasn't read the books ( not for any lack of trying from me and our kids) and he could see it was R/H

Wow! That essay's really well done, I totally agree. But alas, H/Hr's need the 'movies' to give them any hope at all *cough*delusional*cough*. Ron/Hermione & Harry/Ginny forever :)

Totally agree. The movies have it right, or at least the scriptwriters do. Whats actually happen is all canon, however I think you have to concede that some camera angles and, as you mentioned, the way Dan and Emma both look (very atractive) could be taken as H/Hr by people who want it to. I think the whole movie H/Hr thing is also elaborated by the fact that Dan and emma seem a lot closer in interviews and clips and so on than Rupert does to either of them. bless him.

Very well written and objective article! Love it :D

I would just like to thank you SO MUCH for this article. Hopefully this article will clear the ideas out of peoples head thats Harry and Hermione should be together because of the movies. I hate it because people always say "Well Harry and Hermione are always holding hands and seem closer"

IT'S BECAUSE THERE'S NO SEXUAL TENSION THERE PEOPLE. Take it from me, I'm a 14 year old girl with many guy friends. I think of all of them just as friends and would be comfortable hugging them. But when I like a guy its uncomfortable just to accidentally brush against each other. And the directors and scriptwriters have shown how truthful that is and how there IS sexual tension between Ron and Hermione.

I completely agree with your editorial! It's like you wrote exactly what I've been thinking for ages!!!

I really cant stand it when people think that just because you hug a guy you like them! NOT TRUE AT ALL! I dont know about most other normal people but when I like someone I wouldn't go hugging them... Maybe there are some people who would but I am not one of them! and neither are Ron and Hermione... neither of them is a player or a flirts...

Bravo! Great editorial, I hope you make some people see sense...

I've always thought the movies had the ships on point. It is so obvious R/Hr in from Cos on. I think they're going to hit the H/G ship in OotP a little more. Ginny didn't get much a role until then anyway. Waaah I wanna see Remus and Tonks! Good job!

I couldn't agree more with your article. Though I am an admitted shipper of Harry and Ginny, I can still see the canon for what it is at the moment it's at. In GOF Harry is all about Cho. He will be during OotP. And in the moment when Harry asks Cho to the ball I get this spark of actually wishing it would work out for him even though I know it doesn't. I guess I just want Harry to be happy and he has been the happiest with Ginny. I can't wait for that to play out on my screen.

As for Ron and Hermione ... who could not see this coming? At first look without ever reading the books or seeing the movies Harry and Hermione were visually appealing. I liked the idea of them. THEN I saw the movies, read the books and it's like -- wow, duh, I see where JK is going with this and she reels me in with her writing, just as Rupert and Emma reel me in with their acting.

Anyway ... great article ICAM!

Great article! I am not a shipper , not really, but I decided to visit this column for fun and really enjoyed the article you wrote. You are right, and that's all there is to it! Anyone who says otherwise is delusional :lol:

As you said, the movies have made Ron and Hermione's budding romance fairly obvious; this is because JKR worked very hard at building it (and still is!) throughout the books. When it happens, moviegoers who have never read the books will not be surprised. The only problem with Harry and Ginny is that it is not as obvious in the books, and the filmakers probably weren't sure about what was going to happen in HBP, so there has been *no* set up whatsoever in the films of Harry and Ginny's relationship. When the sixth movie comes out, viewers who have not read the book may feel a bit lost and left out. So despite Harry's romance with Cho in the fifth movie, I hope that the filmakers bring Ginny's character upfront a bit more and try to throw in a few hints, looks, anything to get ready for the sixth film. They don't have to invent anything, they can do it just like they have with Ron and Hermione. They especially need to leave the scene at the end, when Ron tells Ginny to date someone better and looks at Harry. Oh I really hope they leave that scene in - it would make all the difference! I can't wait to see the fifth movie - I will totally be watching Ginny, and not Cho. ;)
Plus Gary Oldman is back:love:
Thanks again for a good fun article!
~Gina
:)

Good, well thought out editorial.

Just one thing, you say that you should be 'objective' about the movies. What you fail to realize is that objectivity is a myth. It's impossible. Whether it be journalism, newsacasting, or Harry Potter - humans cannot be objective - it goes against our programming.

Didn't Hunter S. Thompson teach you people anything?

Signed,

Someone Who Reads Too Many Books

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
- HST

Great Article....."Well Done" (clapping, and cheering heard)

Even I, who simply loves the IDEA of H/Hr can see the logic of R/Hr.
But I have three friends who saw all the movies, and none of the books, and even without input from me, two like H/Hr.

i totally agree. the shipping is dead-on, and harry/hermione would further undermine ron's character, something that the public does quite enough without futher insentive. this isnt a redundant teen romantic comedy, this is harry potter.

oddly enough, however, my mom & little brother have only seen the movies, were thinking h/hr for the longest time, before i had to sit them down & explain it all to them, pointing out the finer details of the movies lol

But alas, H/Hr's need the 'movies' to give them any hope at all *cough*delusional*cough*.
How would the movies give H/Hr shippers hope if JKR said that H/Hr wasn't going to happen? :huh: Even people that still ship H/Hr don't use the movies to prove their points, they use them to show that the directors use that H/Hr can be seen in the movies amongst all the R/Hr moments and the fact that it won't be the ending ship.

Anyway, I think that viewers can see both H/Hr and R/Hr in the movies, but definately not H/G until HBP. Well written article, but I disagree with a lot of it.

Edited to add:

Oh, and if memory serves, Dan actually ships Harry/Luna. :)
Dan is one smart kid. :p

Dan has made positive comments about Harry/anyone he might get his lips on.

:lol:

I guess what you see depends on what you think of as romantic. (I think it best if we all avoid the 'D' word, however.) I appreciated the 'anxiety = romantic tension' moments with R/Hr, some didn't. Some better appreciaed the 'casual' intimacy of Harry and Hermione. That's all.

Dan has made positive comments about Harry/anyone he might get his lips on.
Hm, good point. He seems especially keen on Harry/Cho at the moment!I guess what you see depends on what you think of as romantic. (I think it best if we all avoid the 'D' word, however.) I appreciated the 'anxiety = romantic tension' moments with R/Hr, some didn't. Some better appreciaed the 'casual' intimacy of Harry and Hermione. That's all.
Wow...I agree with you. :scared: Sign of the Apocalypse.

Yup. If Snape is wearing pink in the next miovie, it's all my fault.

:lol:

Yup. If Snape is wearing pink in the next miovie, it's all my fault.
We certainly wouldn't want that...*shifty glances*

We certainly wouldn't want that...*shifty glances*
OFF TOPIC:

RM to do Shifty Glances is like this:
<.<
>.>
<.<

:D

... well long before GOF came out, there were many promotional pics released that featured a lot of Harry and Hermione 'moments' from the movie. There were many 'SQUEEESSS' and whatnots from some in the fandom, whil some others thought it was a biit much. So yeah, there are still some in the fandom who hold out hope for the movies anyways...

Cheers

If their even is H/Hr in the movies that I don't see, The movies aren't and never will be CANON. End of story, goobye, the end) Lol, I love that line.

H/G
R/Hr

The true canon ships

OBHWF Forever

When the sixth movie comes out, viewers who have not read the book may feel a bit lost and left out. So despite Harry's romance with Cho in the fifth movie, I hope that the filmakers bring Ginny's character upfront a bit more and try to throw in a few hints, looks, anything to get ready for the sixth film. They don't have to invent anything, they can do it just like they have with Ron and Hermione. They especially need to leave the scene at the end, when Ron tells Ginny to date someone better and looks at Harry. Oh I really hope they leave that scene in - it would make all the difference!
:)
Absolutley! Talk about foreshadowing, that is a great scene.

RM to do Shifty Glances is like this:

Quote:
<.<
>.>
<.<
Ha, thanks :rolleyes:
OBHWF Forever
Or until the series is over. :evil:

Very good article, and I agree with it 100%.

One thing I'm hopeful of, though, is that the filmmakers do Ginny justice in the OotP movie, and really begin to bring her more to the forefront, as Rowling intended, as Harry's eventual Love Interest. And since the HBP book was released before they finished the screenplay for OotP, I'm confident that they will. They went into the OotP screenplay with the full knowledge that Ginny is the girl for Harry, so hopefully they'll include some hints in the movie that point to such.

I can't wait for July 2007! :D

wow. I always saw the movies shipping Ron/Hermione and you just made it that much clearer. I agree. completely. good job.

I thought of another great scene in GoF that really underlines the strictly platonic relationship of Harry and Hermione. When Hermione is reading the newspaper article about her and Viktor Krum, she reads something about how "There is no news on how Harry Potter is taking this latest blow" or something like that. I like how fussy she is in this scene, although its not how she reacted in the book. But I really love the look on Harry's face - priceless! He could have rolled his eyes or something, but his look is understated and says it all. If Harry was really bothered by either the implication that he was romantically linked to Hermione, or by the fact that she had seemingly developed an interested in Krum, he would have had a much stronger reaction. I suppose the filmakers could have shown some sort of small reaction from Ron, but that's okay - i think he gets his robes next and that is a great bit in itself.
Totally pointless post, I know!
~Gina :)

tis is exactly what i've been saying..............but Emerson etc were in the wrong for the whole delusional bit.............. and i can understand where the Harmony shippers were coming from especially if they themselves didn't understand OR didn't want to understand the difference and own characteristics of romantic and platonic love- to be perfectly honest there were moments in the books where i had to stop for a second and go..wait thats friendly Not romantic lol... good job

toodles

Belenzie

I agree with this article. The only film that wasn't overtly Ron/Hermione is the first one...but even then, even the very young Ron and Hermione had tension between them.

I think the reason some people think the films are H/Hr is the same reason people thought the books would be that way...Harry is the hero, and there's no other "main girl".

I think the reason some people think the films are H/Hr is the same reason people thought the books would be that way...Harry is the hero, and there's no other "main girl".

I find it rather adorable (yet slightly annoying, as they are always so far off) when H/G and R/Hr shippers try to understand why H/Hr shippers (like me) ship what we do. And no, it's not because we think Hermione is a prize.


I can't figure out why this is under General, as it is blatantly R/Hr...

I think the reason some people think the films are H/Hr is the same reason people thought the books would be that way...Harry is the hero, and there's no other "main girl".
I find it rather adorable (yet slightly annoying, as they are always so far off) when H/G and R/Hr shippers try to understand why H/Hr shippers (like me) ship what we do. And no, it's not because we think Hermione is a prize.
I actually don't think it's so far off base, in many cases (certainly not all...but many).

The proverbial "hero gets the girl" stigma has been attached to many, many books & movies in the past. Hermione has been the main female character in the HP books from the beginning. Though she and Harry have never had any indication of romantic feelings between them, the "hero gets the girl" mentality does tend to manifest itself, in some cases. Then again, in other cases, people merely ship on personal preference. And that's okay, too. :)

In the movies, I can actually see how some people who have not read the books would think that Harry & Hermione will be the eventual pairing. They pretty much turned Hermione into Super!Girl!Hermione in the PoA script (:no:), and though she was toned down in the GoF movie, the H/Hr moments were still a bit unnecessary, in terms of pointing to a potential romance. At the very least, I would think that the non-book-reading members of the audience might be confused as to who she'll end up with, Ron or Harry, and will there be some terrible, trite love triangle in the next movie?

I'm really hopeful that, in the OotP script, they've started bringing Ginny more to the forefront and inserted some romantic hints between her & Harry. Since the HBP book was released before the OotP script was finished (or at least before they began filming), and we know that Ginny is the future love interest...well, I'm optimistic!

Look at it like this- it's not H/Hr vs R/Hr in the fims- its verbal vs nonverbal adaptation.

Great example- first task. In the books, this was a huge moment between Harry and Ron. They made up, Harry's heart felt lighter than air, a thousand points, etc etc.

The problem with that it that it doesn't translate to the screen well. We don't hear him think. He can't say it out loud- it would sound silly and embarass Ron. He couldn't hug Ron- eww, this isn't Brokeback Mountain! They joke instead, and we lose the emotion in the dynamic.

So Hermione is assigned the 'happy emotional reaction' scenes. Not because of whether they were her scenes or not or because of romance between the characters, but because the filmmakers would rather have the girl throw herself on Harry and hug him than the boys do so, regardless of who actually had the emotional reaction in the books. It's just more 'chicky'.

:lol:

Look at it like this- it's not H/Hr vs R/Hr in the fims- its verbal vs nonverbal adaptation.

Great example- first task. In the books, this was a huge moment between Harry and Ron. They made up, Harry's heart felt lighter than air, a thousand points, etc etc.

The problem with that it that it doesn't translate to the screen well. We don't hear him think. He can't say it out loud- it would sound silly and embarass Ron. He couldn't hug Ron- eww, this isn't Brokeback Mountain! They joke instead, and we lose the emotion in the dynamic.

This is a good point, although I stiil liked how that scene came off in the movie. I thought it was a decent adaptation of what you said - a lot of nonverbal stuff, so the filmmakers came up with the "Dean told Seamus told Parvati etc " instead. I *loved* Harry's line: "Who could ever figure that out? It's completely mental." Great line, great delivery! And Hermione finished the scene with "Boys!" Perfect :)

But your point is still good, lol - I just like both ways, the book and the movie! :)
~Gina

I couldn't agree with this article more. Great job.

I thought this was a very intriguing editorial.

I think Harry and Hermione would make a good couple, but so would Ron and HErione, seeing as opposites attract sometimes (most of the time, really). I don't know if the whole Harry/Ginny thing will work out, but knowing Ginny, she'll find a way to make sure everything goes well. That said, her and Harry and Ron and Hermione will live happily ever after! (That is if Voldemort keeps his nose out of people's buisness!)

-I don't where Cho Chang came in; maybe she's just temporary. Speaking of Cho Chang, Katie and Dan :love: are suppose to be doing the kissing scene very soon...

I find it rather adorable (yet slightly annoying, as they are always so far off) when H/G and R/Hr shippers try to understand why H/Hr shippers (like me) ship what we do. And no, it's not because we think Hermione is a prize.


I can't figure out why this is under General, as it is blatantly R/Hr...


I said "some people" and I am absolutely 100% correct in saying that, because I've had discussions with people about it, including my friends and siblings, where they have told me point blank "I think Harry is going to end up with Hermione because she's the only main girl." And this wasn't hoping for H/Hr...this is what they thought would happen based on the fact that Harry is the hero and there is no other female in the forefront. In fact, some of them, my sister included, preferred Harry end up with no love-interest at all.

So I still stand that some people do think Harry is going to end up with Hermione based on the films, especially since Ginny hasn't been shown as prominently as she will be. I think perhaps after watching OoTP, some folks may decide that JKR isn't going to put Harry and Hermione together after all. In the books its pretty obvious that Harry was growing more and more aware of Ginny, and I think this may translate on screen. Like I said, R/Hr has been pretty obvious, both in the books and on-screen, but it is difficult for some people to get past the fact that Harry is the "hero", so he'll end up with "the girl".

I think that there was a little H/G foreshadowing in the CoS movie. They showed that Ginny had the crush, they showed the part where Draco said "Look Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend." they showed Harry grabbing Ginny's hand as he dying from the Basilisk poison ( I thought that was some powerful imagery). It's not much, but it's something (even if they did cut out Ginny's reaction to Harry telling Ron that he's asked Cho to the Ball). I have a friend who has not read the books, but has seen the movies and she says that she thinks that Ron and Hermione will end up together. My Dad, who has also never read the books, saw the almost hug at the end of CoS has R/Hr. I do think that the filmmakers have gotten the ship foreshadowing right, bot other aspects, they've been woefully off, like leaving out the whole Snape & James Rivalry.
I personally don't have issues with most H/Hr shippers. If they write H/Hr fan fics, that's cool. They are using fan fiction for it's purpose: imagination and fantasy.
H/G and R/Hr have always been my main ships, but for fun I occasionally ship Ginny/Neville, Harry/Luna, Ron/Luna or Harry/Parvati. The only Harmonys I have a problem with are the ones who dedicate an entire forum bashing JK herself and the ships she's written, while Crying poor us, the picked on H/Hrs. The people on the Wall of Shame deserve to be there.

I find it rather adorable (yet slightly annoying, as they are always so far off) when H/G and R/Hr shippers try to understand why H/Hr shippers (like me) ship what we do.
Ya know, the condescending attitude in using the term "adorable" doesn't exactly help the H/Hr shipper image. You could have just left it as "slightly annoying" and made the same point, without the "Look at those adorable R/Hr shippers! Aren't they cute?" *pats on head in thoroughly patronising fashion*.

That said, this article is spot on. All of the moments in the films that have ever been claimed as H/Hr shippy are simply visual presentations of how close and uncomplicated their friendship is. They hugged at the end of COS because they were comfortable doing so - no romantic tension there. They instinctively held hands while trying to escape a werewolrf - again, NO romantic tension. Every moment between them in GOF was just more of the same, with the added touches of showing Hermione's tendency to mother Harry. No. Romantic. Tension. There.

I actually don't agree that the Harry/Ginny thing was never hinted in the movies yet. Ginny showed she had a crush on him in movie two remember? Also Malfoy made that obvious remark about Harry having himself a "girlfriend." As for Ginny not being in the movies too much yet; I have news for you all, she's not in books 3-4 that much either! Reread books 3 and 4 and you'll see what I mean. However, I could definitely agree with the fact that Steve cloves is doing Ginny justice in the movie script (as well as her hinted relationship with Harry thats been in the books ever since the 2nd).

I completely agree with your editorial! It's like you wrote exactly what I've been thinking for ages!!!

I really cant stand it when people think that just because you hug a guy you like them! NOT TRUE AT ALL! I dont know about most other normal people but when I like someone I wouldn't go hugging them... Maybe there are some people who would but I am not one of them! and neither are Ron and Hermione... neither of them is a player or a flirts...

Bravo! Great editorial, I hope you make some people see sense...
yeah, hug does not equal relationship, well yeah...
otherwise i completely agree with your editiorial!!

I thought of another great scene in GoF that really underlines the strictly platonic relationship of Harry and Hermione. When Hermione is reading the newspaper article about her and Viktor Krum, she reads something about how "There is no news on how Harry Potter is taking this latest blow" or something like that. I like how fussy she is in this scene, although its not how she reacted in the book. But I really love the look on Harry's face - priceless! He could have rolled his eyes or something, but his look is understated and says it all. If Harry was really bothered by either the implication that he was romantically linked to Hermione, or by the fact that she had seemingly developed an interested in Krum, he would have had a much stronger reaction. I suppose the filmakers could have shown some sort of small reaction from Ron, but that's okay - i think he gets his robes next and that is a great bit in itself.
Totally pointless post, I know!
~Gina :)

Ah, but they did show a reaction from Ron. While Hermoine is reading the article out loud they cut to a shot of Ron grinning as she talks. He thinks it's funny.

Another small point. If you watch the scene at the Ball where Ron tells his date he isn't going to dance with her and she walks off, you can see Hermoine paying close attention in the background.:D

Ah, but they did show a reaction from Ron. While Hermoine is reading the article out loud they cut to a shot of Ron grinning as she talks. He thinks it's funny.

Another small point. If you watch the scene at the Ball where Ron tells his date he isn't going to dance with her and she walks off, you can see Hermoine paying close attention in the background.:D

I have already watched GoF far too many times and now I have to watch it again! Whee! ;)

I love the way Ron's face starts to crumple when he sees Hermione with Victor Krum. I think Rupert is pretty good, really - loved him in PoA - but he's also quite underused, too. Can't wait to see him play some action in OotP, and have a go at Ginny in HBP.
~Gina :)

I can not agree with you more. Even at the end of movie 2 they have done a good job of pointing out Harry/Hermione as really good friends, and Ron/Hermione as the potential couple. I agree 100 percent. YOu out lined the important parts very well. The difference between Ron/Harry when it comes to Hermione.

To make this simple.

The big deal about physical contact and tension vs. comfort, etc. It's not the biggest sign of all.

My best friend is of the opposite gender, and while neither of us are attracted to the other romantically, we are by no means clingy. In fact, lots of contact is awkward, even though we are very close.

So the thing about physical contact is that it's different with different people. Tension is not necessarily a sign of romance. According to Ms. Rowling it is in this case, and that's just fine--it's her book.

The point is, that level of comfort between Harry and Hermione can easily be interpreted that way precisely because tension is not everything.

Just a thought.

amen! hear hear! dito to everything you guys are saying! Harry and hermione are to brother/sister to be romantic! if anybody has been through that awkward teenage faze with tension, they would know. Harry and hermione are to comfortable around eachother to have something there!

Discussion for Romance in the Movies: Why They've Got it Right (http://www.mugglenet.com/editorials/madampuddifoot/edit-doctor01.shtml) by the Ninth Doctor.

i was one of those H/HR shippers for the longest time. But after seeing the movies and how they've tweaked the situations to better show H/C, and R/HR, I now understand how the dinamics work better between them. I guess we needed the visual to give us a nudge in the romantic right direction.

On behalf of the H/HR shippers, I understand their reasoning. It's the onscreen chemistry between Daniel and Emma. Theirs such an underliying flirtatious chemistry between them, no matter how much they try and quash the rumors, (I can spot atrraction there!) :love: Trust me, Im married and 29, been there done that......

But I say, :clap: "here here" :clap: to the directors and screen writters. The movies are getting better and better, and so is the romantic awareness between them.

I think the movies are very Ron/Hermione. I also do not see onscreen chemistry with Dan and Emma that's greater than the one with Rupert and Dan so that boggles me a little. What I do think is that the people who advertised and promoted GoF had a lot more Harry/Hermione moments than they did Ron/Hermione and that may be the reason a few people are now of the impression that the movies show that when it actually doesn't and actually pushes the Ron/Hermione a lot more than is in the books in some instances. Harry and Hermione are very good friends and I didn't see anything in the movies that didn't or couldn't have happened in the books.

"My best friend is of the opposite gender, and while neither of us are attracted to the other romantically, we are by no means clingy. In fact, lots of contact is awkward, even though we are very close."

Hell, I agree!!

I suspect that the complaints about a possible H/Hr ship in the movies stem from a scene in GoF. Right after the second task, Fleur comes up to Ron and gushes all over him for helping Harry in rescuing her sister. In the novel, Hermoine reacts to this moment with jealousy and anger. In the movie, she's too busy focusing her attention on Harry to care. I would have accused GoF of leaning toward a H/Hr ship, if it were not for Ron and Hermoine's interactions during the Yule Ball sequence.

"My best friend is of the opposite gender, and while neither of us are attracted to the other romantically, we are by no means clingy. In fact, lots of contact is awkward, even though we are very close."

Hell, I agree!!I disagree. I've been clingy with my male friends (best), and never felt really awkard because I didn't like them in "that way". I'd go out of my way to avoid contact with a male friend I did like though. Now that makes me awkward.

Even I, who simply loves the IDEA of H/Hr can see the logic of R/Hr.
But I have three friends who saw all the movies, and none of the books, and even without input from me, two like H/Hr.


I used to love the idea of H/Hr, but after reading this article (mainly) I can't believe how wrong it feels now. There's just no way. I still don't like Harry/Ginny (though I accepted it long ago) but now I love the idea of Hermione/Ron.

A clear and well-written article!

I agree. I think you've got it totally right, and so do they. But the Harry/Hemione shippers still seem to be encouraged nonetheless. Maybe cuz they're just slow or something but they always bring up the movie in their defense for the stories. I know it's truly crazy, but they do. Thanks for pointing out and clarifying things for us, tho. Great article

i think the essay was too long winded. all the points are good but you good have explained in like two paragraphs it was annoying to realize i had read a whole paragraph when only the last sentence had any importance.

I think the problem with the movies is not lack of R/Hr scenes, it's with the characters.

Hermione is the one who knows everything, Hermione is the emotional female, Hermione furthers the plot, Hermione is girl power, Hermione is Hermione, Ron, Harry and Dumbledore combined in one interesting body. Ron would pale in comparison EVEN IF we wasn't deprived of his best lines (by Hermione). What we get is Superman with Harry as Superman, Hermione as Lois and Ron as Jimmy Olsen, the comic sidekick with no purpose other than being funny from time to time. That's the pessimistic version anyway, which the movies hinted towards in PoA.

Bu then, there's a lot of R/Hr anvils in the movies, so that noone can deny there may something going on between those two. Still, Hermione is the energetic genius dragging the somewhat stoned hero along, not to mention Ron (for backgound filling purposes). With movie!Hemione impact on the hero and the plot and with her overemotional attitude, she tends to be in the center of attention. She has soem scenes with Harry, then with Ron. What we get, again, is LOST with Jack/Kate/Sawyer triangle and the whole audience wondering who should SHE choose, who is better for her.

Since Hollywood apparently can't come with anything remotely inventive, the best they could do is mimic Star Wars and I'm not talking about Harry being Hermione's brother. Harry must become more independent, because if he doesn't need his male friend, why must he always rely on his female friend? Luke and Han/Leia did work out, because Luke had his mission, his duty and goal. Plus, Han was plain awesome character: spunky, funny, interesting, cool and loud. Movie!Ron is not.

So, I agree with the author of the editorial, but for me, it's not about who has more scenes with Hermione and how romantic they are. If they won't stop dumbing Ron and continue to use Hermione to solve everything out, what's the point of awkward hand-holding?

Lots of excellent points made there in a well-organized essay.

The only point I would disagree with is that the filmmakers have not shown Ginny's "debilitating" crush on Harry. Yes, I think they cleary have.

In CofS when Ginny comes downstairs, she's rendered completely speechless at the sight of Harry at the family kitchen table. Ron tells Harry that Ginny had been talking about Harry all summer..."dead annoying, really."

In GofF when Ron and Harry are entranced by the girls of Beauxbatons, watch the faces of Hermione and Ginny. In a couple shots, they are clearly shown in the same shot as Ron and Harry who are applauding and enthralled with the French girls, while Hermione and Ginny are clearly both upset at Ron and Harry's reactions.

Other than that, I agree very much with the points raised.

great essay you made loads of good points! i never understood how people saw h/hr in the movies, its so obvious that they swingin the r/hr way since movie 2.
anyway great editorial!

I compeletly agree with this article, as well. I espicallly enjoy the comments about how just because a guy and a girl are good, close friends people execpt them to get together. It's crazy, and I personally can very much relate. Me and my best friend Joe have a very Harry/Hermione like friendship. I love him like the brother I never had, and I give him advice about something, and then he does whatever he wants anyway, lol. But also, people thought all the time that we were boyfriend and girlfriend. It was so annoying! Plus other girls who've liked him don't like me because they're jealous and they think I like him! Like I said, annoying.

Brilliantly written by the way:D! It's clearly Ron and hermione no matter what anyone says. Harry and Hermione have several emotional scenes but they aren't romantic they are simply just evidence that they are the best of friends. You here me? Friends. What would you think if Harry was a girl?

JKR has said it herself, she's dropped anvil sized hints on which way Ron and Hermione's relationship is going to go. It's taken some double takes at conflict lane but eventually it will go to romantic road. I know that must've sounded super cheesy but who cares:p Ron and Hermione belong together.

Harry and Ginny did have a few scenes but they're mostly in CoS. In the books, the 1st time Ginny spoke in front of Harry casually was in OOTP but in the movies it was in GoF, "I think you're in love Ron!" she says, after Ron babbles about the way Krum flies his broom. I highly think that, if there are no fairly big hints about H/G, that the audience will be majorly caught off guard when they watch HBP and find out that they're going out. I think they make a sweet couple.:love:

Your article presented some really excellent points! :)

I agree completely with this editorial. While Harry and Hermione are definitley close, its more of a best friend or brother&sister type thing with them. When you look at Ron and Hermione though, you can see all of the tension between them in both the books and the movies. This was a really good editorial.

Way to go!
I've never heard anybody sum it up as well as you did! To further your point, I was rooting for Harry and Hermione before I watched the third movie (I had been reading the books for much longer before the movies came out). While watching the movies, I realized that it wasn't Harry/Hermione at all but Ron/Hermione. Then I reread the books and I REALLY realized it. So ever since the POA movie came out, I've seen what as really coming.
Once again, good job.

I completely agree. I never saw a hint of Harry/Hermione in the books and all of the people I know who have only seen the movies believe that it will be Hermione and Ron in the end. Just because Harry and Hermione are good friends does not mean that there has to be something more there; her relationship with him is more like a sister than a romantic interest. Thank you for summing all of this up.

Bravo on the article, to start with.

I've defiantely never understood how people can ship H/Hr but that's mainly b because I've actually got a friend exactly like Harry. Or better yet, we have the same type of relationship: relaxed, close, etc. A lot of people have said for years that we were either going out or should, but we've always thought it was laughable because we're more like sister/brother than anything else.

As for the movies, I thought it was pretty clear since CoS it was going to be H/R and there are so many points that make it clear. The hug at the end always coming to mind, because I can actually understand it: I have absolutely no problem hugging any of my guy friends and acting clingy (like linking arms and such) but you let any guy that I know likes me or I like and I clam up or freeze if they remotely touch me. (I've had a hug me that I had a major crush on and I blushed and completely froze up and had to excuse myself...it was sad.)

Though I will admit: there are some scenes in GoF that make me raise an eyebrow at the possible H/Hr hints. (Though the Yuleball scene alone seems to squash them, as minor as they are.)

As for as other's opinion go: everyone that has seen the movie, including my boyfriend whom I forced to watch the movies since he won't read the books, have all admitted or thought it was H/R my way.

i COMPLETELY agree with this article. there is NO WAY that i could really see harry and hermione getting together. i think the main reason why people are hoping for them (and this was mentioned) is because they are both good looking...and there are similarities between hermione and lily and obviously with james and harry. but i just dont see it. harry fits with ginny. and ron was made for hermione. HBP is the best book to read if there is anyone that doubts that.

The filmmakers won't be able to tell that story in the same way as in the books, because they didn't include Ginny's debilitating crush on Harry.


Actually, they did. In CHAMBER OF SECRETS movie. It is quite obvious when Harry visits the Burrows for the first time that Ginny has a crush on him. And at the Flourish & Botts bookstore, Ginny was the first to rush to Harry's defense when Lucius Malfoy had insulted him.

I believe that I may have spotted another Harry/Ginny moment in GOBLET OF FIRE. It happened near the end of the Yultide Ball, when Ginny spotted Harry leaving with the others, while she was dancing with Neville. There seemed to be a brief moment of longing in her eyes.

Whoa that article was so well written! Can't argue with any of it! I'm a Ron/Hermione shipper (though I have been known in weaker moments to like Harry/Hermione too:p) but after reading this it really just shows how Harry and Hermione are so comfortable together *because* they are just friends.

I'm a bit late in reading this but had to comment because it really was just so well written. :tu:

I agree with this article. Whoever honestly thought that Harry and Hermione would end up together were just kidding themselves. In the books, its obvious that Hermione and Harry are like brother and sister, and Hermione does tend to even mother Harry a bit, always wanting to protect him and look out for him. There was nothing sIt was never going to happen. I mean the chemistry between Ron and Hermione is so intense, the jelousy in particular, it was obvious they were secretly in love and there is no way they could not have ended up together. I don't really agree that the relationships are being acuratly portrayed in the films though. There was not enough Ron/Hermione action in OOTP. There was none of their usual fights or jelousy. They only had one scene dedicated to them in the Room of Requirement and that was it. I was not a happy bunny.

I agree with this article completely. While with some things, I do tend to be a total shipper ("House MD" started this in me), Harry Potter was never one of them, although I saw the R/Hr thing coming. My favorite part of this article was when they mentioned something along the line of "its sad that if a boy or girl are best friends, hugging or comforting each other is seen as a romantic gesture." I'm a 13 year old girl, and my best friend is a guy!!! And its been that way since I was 4. People start the same old "Freak and ---- sitting in a tree! K I S S I N G!" stuff, but I'm basically over it. What's weird is, I've only hugged him a few times. Once after he did great in a play, once when he said he would stop being a grump and actually go to a school dance, and once at kintergarten graduation. They are the only ones I can think of at the moment.
The only times I've ever shipped HP at all was once when I started reading because I had a crush on Harry (pre-movie, they were still filming, I hadn't seen Dan Radcliffe yet), and my friend told me I was like Hermione. I got over my very very brief H/Hr-ness very quickly, though.