By: debbie lynn elias
Faced with the daunting challenge of bringing the already legendary 11 year old wizard named Harry Potter to the silver screen, director Chris Columbus, and screenwriter Steven Kloves have done themselves proud. Working his own special magic, Kloves remained utterly faithful to J.K. Rowlings’ beloved novel. Columbus, the man who once upon a time introduced us to a child phenom named MacCauley Caulkin and who later, with “Mrs. Doubtfire” showed us the lengths a loving father will go to be with his children, not to mention coaxing Hollywood legend Maureen O’Hara back to the big screen in “Only the Lonely,” now brings us “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Crystalizing every visualization of the reader’s imagination with such vibrance and precision so as to leave no literary stone unrealized, Columbus has transported Harry Potter from book to screen with a faithfulness and accuracy only seen previously with Jonathan Demme’s “Silence of the Lambs.”
For those who don’t know the story, we first meet Harry as a tiny tot wrapped in swaddling clothes being brought down from the sky by a bearded, burly and extremely large Hells Angel-like biker named Hagrid, who, together with Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore, leave him on the doorstep of the “worst sort of Muggles” (non-wizards to you and me) for his care and upbringing. Already you know there is something special about this child. Fast forward 11 years and we find Harry still in the care of his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia where his bedroom is “the cupboard under the stairs” and where he waits on his “family,” receiving daily taunting from his overweight, obnoxious and spoiled cousin Dudley. Think a male version of Cinderella.
Suddenly, mail arrives for Harry, but not just any mail. This comes special delivery courtesy of a courier owl. Despite the efforts of Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia to keep Harry from reading this mail, the same letter arrives every day, with a new owl making delivery and then camping out on the property, culminating in a whirlwind of letters pouring into the Dursley house through every nook and cranny available, much like the birds in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic tale of horror, “The Birds.” Tired of delay, Hagrid reappears to fetch Harry and bring him to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for you see, not only is Harry actually a powerful wizard (who needs some training), he is already a celebrity in his own right and marked for greatness, having been the sole survivor of a reign of terror by the malevolent Voldemort and eventual battle which killed his parents. Voldemort, a sorcerer of immense power, went over to the dark side, and has not been seen or spoken of since.
Once in Hagrid’s capable hands, the fun, and film-making magic, really starts as Harry begins his new life at Hogwarts. From shopping for school supplies on Diagon Alley (you know, typical first day stuff – wands, owls, potions, cauldron’s and brooms) to gold coins stashed in underground caves chiseled out as safe deposit boxes at the goblin run bank known as Gringott’s, to moving bricks and staircases, unicorns, Centaurs, floating candlesticks, flying broomsticks, baby dragons, three headed dogs, flying keys and Devil’s Snare, we not only gape in wonderment at this mystical world, but share in Harry’s great adventure. On seeing all of this, you know where the bulk of the $120 million budget went. Wow! Special effects notwithstanding, Columbus eloquently captures the film’s most poignant moment as Harry looks into the mirror of truth, allowing him to see his heart’s true desire – a portrait with his mother and father.
Teaming up with his new friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, the three uncover a plot involving the sorcerer’s stone and the evil Voldemort and take it upon themselves to handle the situation. With a show of bravery, courage, loyalty and undying friendship, we see each character come to life before our very eyes, learning and growing, and at times, even using their weaknesses and shortcomings to their best advantage.
Having no acting experience outside of school plays, Emma Watson and Rupert Grinn (Hermione and Ron) bring an innocence, pluckiness and wide-eyed wonderment to their roles that I doubt could have been achieved with more experienced actors. Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, complete with the adhesive-taped round glasses and tousled black hair is just as I imagined him to be, exuding a quiet shyness mixed with respect and determination, that should be the envy of acting veterans.
The real treat here is the venerable who’s who of British actors filling the adult roles. Sir Richard Harris as Dumbledore is both wise and compassionate (and probably on his knees thanking his granddaughter or niece for convincing him to take the role) while Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall is perfectly cast, combining those well known qualities of Miss Jean Brodie and Mother Superior of “Sister Act” into the kindest of professors with a true love for her young charges. John Hurt as wandmaster Ollivander is a delight and Ian Hart as the “two-faced” Professor Quirrell gives new meaning to “multiple personalities.” It is, however, perennial evil-doer Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, and Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid who give the performances of a lifetime. Rickman, probably best known as Hans Gruber in “Die Hard,” gives a curl your toes performance as the professor of potionology, keeping the audience on its toes as they wonder is he a good guy or a bad guy. As always, Rickman’s delivery is cutting and chilling. But it is Robbie Coltrane, specially requested by J.K. Rowlings, as the 8 foot tall keeper of the keys and gates who brings a genuine warmth to his character and tear to your eye.
And of course, the highlights of the film – a life-sized game of chess with our heroes as game pieces (Rupert Grinn outdoes himself here) and the all important game of Quidditch – rival any special effect in movie history. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is truly a tale for all ages that will last for ages. Bring on the “Chamber of Secrets!”
