Big Screen Peter: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I

Editor’s note: Peter Lewis has agreed to use whatever it is you call his writing style to provide some measure of analysis to those folks who still go to a theater to see a movie.

review by Peter Lewis

All too often, the experience of a certain literary work can spill over into one’s expectations for a cinematic translation. Though each film based upon a literary work is irrevocably tied to that written precursor, it’s necessary to view the resultant film of its own accord and judge accordingly.

Though some may disagree with my characterization, I was just a bit too old to truly appreciate the literary cum cultural phenomenon of Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling’s first novel appeared in the United States around the time I was beginning to drive without the presence of an adult. Naturally, I had better things to do than lug around a novel intended for those several years my junior. There were girls to chase, ground balls to field and weighty novels to pretend to comprehend.

Yet, despite missing out on the rabid consumption of the novels, I have participated in the massively popular cinematic translations created by Warner Brothers. As a result, the forthcoming analysis is based solely on the films themselves and is free from any preceding literary shackles.

There’s not a lot to be said about the Harry Potter film franchise that hasn’t been said before. It continues to rake in money hand over fist and, unlike some supposed cultural touchstones (yes, I’m looking at you, Avatar), the series actually deserves it. Despite being created mainly for a younger audience, the Harry Potter films have all been well developed productions with heavy crossover appeal.

The latest installation — half installation, rather — is no different. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I” is a thrilling addition to the series that easily extends the story towards its conclusion. And since this is the seventh go round, the players seem to fit easily into their identities. Which isn’t to say the performances are anywhere close to being classified as “rote,” they are natural and affecting. In short, just as they should be.

And praise be to whichever god you choose, because the film isn’t a stand alone item. As a favor to us all, director David Yates didn’t clog the natural progression of the film with inane flashbacks and digressive bits of dialogue to “catch up” the few dozen folks who failed to see the previous installments of Potter.

So where did it fall short?

While the film was utterly harrowing at times, the pacing was a bit off. Even at almost two and a half hours, things felt slightly rushed at times.

Threads of narrative explanation seemed to fall off or become quickly glossed over. Why did the antagonists need to wait to attack Harry? And again, why was the chosen move date for Harry necessary at all if he was to soon become “untrackable” to the ministry?  And if the supposed Order of the Phoenix was indeed worried about what the ministry knew, why was there such surprise that they were indeed attacked by the Death-Eaters? Why was there a sudden and unexplained appearance of harsh discrimination against muggles (humans) and mudbloods (those of mixed human/magician heritage)?

Furthermore, while it’s all well and good to have an utterly evil villain in a film, was it really necessary to create a society that seemed patently lifted from repressive regimes of the past, replete with sham courts ala Nazi Germany or Stalinist Russia? It seems a bit of a cop out, especially given the fact that the protagonists appeared to move about with ease after such emphasis was placed on the intrusive power of the “snatchers” and the fear subsequently created.

While the preceding questions do mark significant shortcomings in the creation of the film, they hardly distract from the overall impact of the film. The tone is dark, it pulsates with fear and urges the protagonists forward across gorgeous countryside. Somehow everything congeals nicely despite the gapping holes in the continuity of the series.

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is playing at the Carmike 14 and the Malco Cinema 12 in Fort Smith, and the Malco Van Buren Cinema. Link here for time and ticket info.

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