What is the Worst Mistake in the Harry Potter Movies?
Have you noticed how often movies are criticized for being so different from the books that inspired them?
Novelist Paulo Coelho once said, "The book is a film that takes place in the mind of the reader. That's why we go to movies and say, 'Oh, the book is better'." That is a great way to put it.
When reading a book, the reader has free reign to imagine and interpret the author's words. A movie tells the viewer how the makers of the movie interpret the story.
While some onscreen deviations from the original story are justified, others frankly leave us scratching and/or shaking our heads. Movies are made on a budget.
We totally get that elaborate equals expensive whether we're talking sets, special effects, or casting, so if things must be scaled back a bit, that's cool.
Time constraints also mean the movie can't go over every little detail and it's difficult for screenwriters to cover everything fans think is too important to be excluded.
One thing folks will not stand for is a movie character being portrayed too differently from their beloved book version. Misrepresenting or under-representing a fan fave is practically unforgivable. A good example of this takes place in the Harry Potter movies with regards to—well, damn near everybody, but specifically the character of Ginny.
The Harry Potter franchise is universally popular, thus are the characters, and thus is the inevitable grumbling and criticism. Today we'll be talking about what we feel was the worst mistake in the Harry Potter movie series.
Readers were introduced to Ginerva Molly "Ginny" Weasley when she was a mere snippet of a girl. Shy around her older brother Ron's best friend Harry, readers saw her character evolve over time during the book series. Ginny became self-confident and comfortable just being herself. This was a point many readers admired and one they found very relatable.
As the book series progressed, Ginny became a strong force to be reckoned with both physically and intellectually. The movie depiction didn't have the luxury of slowly unpacking Ginny's truth. That being said, we think a terrible disservice was done to this character.
Growing up with a bajillion brothers, Ginny was used to being around boys, but having heard all the rumors regarding Harry's parentage and legacy, she was understandably star-struck and full-on heart-eyes emoji. Like, we get it, you've got a crush. The books made it clear Ginny would not sit alone pining for Harry. While taking a step back, she dated other guys while still managing to be a trustworthy and supportive friend.
While "book Ginny" was one of the key plotline players (she did open the Chamber of Secrets, you know), "movie Ginny" has around 30 minutes screen time in all of the movies combined. Ginny nearly causes Harry's death, marries him, and they start a family. And how little time was allotted for these developments, again?
While the worst mistake in the movies was the unfair portrayal and marginalization of Ginny Weasley, those who've read the books know the true Ginny. Intelligent, capable, brave, and frankly, the only reason Harry survived. Ginny kicked arse in battle and on the Quidditch field. She's a warrior, a wife, and a mother, Ginny is "woman" personified. That's the Ginny we want to remember.