I think because this is a visual medium the films are unapologetic about using Harry's looks to further this Blank Slate Harry. Radcliffe done up as Harry is not only incredibly pretty, he's one of the effing cherubim descended to earth. Angelic and effectively androgenous with it when the make-up artists are at their most intense with him: Harry is pale of complexion and flushed at cheek and lip--hair as black as ebony,
[...] Radcliffe's called on to do "anxious" a lot in this film and he's excellent at it; I adored watching him on the verge of puking before and during every Tournament Task. But we still have that "sense of wonder and joy" Harry that made Harry so much the Dickensian orphan in the first two films
Excellent points. I like the way you describe Harry - he's so DAMN pretty, with the make-up and the light/dark contrasts. It's inescapable, however much we might want to refuse to see it because of his age. In the bath I was 0_0 - the boy has muscle. As does Ron, in bed. *g* (In the 'piss off' scene, I mean.) And, yes, it's part of the film's portrayal of Harry - the Harry of fairytale - skin as pale as milk, lips as red as blood, hair as black as ebony... Very effective visual pointers to fantasy tropes.
I really enjoy his acting, for the most part - it gets better. But I agree he's called on to do an impossible task! - as well as portraying one of the most popular characters in fiction, which is pressure enough. Yet as you point out, he still has his Dickensian innocence! (Convenient for fandom, as it also works so very well with all of us who enjoy despoiling him.)
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branchandroot
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Date: 2005-12-09 01:30 am (UTC)[...] Radcliffe's called on to do "anxious" a lot in this film and he's excellent at it; I adored watching him on the verge of puking before and during every Tournament Task. But we still have that "sense of wonder and joy" Harry that made Harry so much the Dickensian orphan in the first two films
Excellent points. I like the way you describe Harry - he's so DAMN pretty, with the make-up and the light/dark contrasts. It's inescapable, however much we might want to refuse to see it because of his age. In the bath I was 0_0 - the boy has muscle. As does Ron, in bed. *g* (In the 'piss off' scene, I mean.) And, yes, it's part of the film's portrayal of Harry - the Harry of fairytale - skin as pale as milk, lips as red as blood, hair as black as ebony... Very effective visual pointers to fantasy tropes.
I really enjoy his acting, for the most part - it gets better. But I agree he's called on to do an impossible task! - as well as portraying one of the most popular characters in fiction, which is pressure enough. Yet as you point out, he still has his Dickensian innocence! (Convenient for fandom, as it also works so very well with all of us who enjoy despoiling him.)