The Harry Potter Movies: One Glaring Shortcoming We Can't Ignore

Article Summary

The Harry Potter movies failed to capture the passionate chemistry between Harry and Ginny that was portrayed in the books.

Ron's character in the movies excessively highlighted his flaws, causing viewers to question why Hermione was attracted to him.

The films failed to portray the intricate and flawed relationship between Remus and Tonks, neglecting crucial backstory and depth.

The Harry Potter series is brimming with enchanting elements - wizardry, thrill, darkness, companionship, exhilaration - yet it seems to lack one aspect: romance. Despite being filled with teenagers, Hogwarts isn't devoid of crushes, dating, and love. Emotions and hormones run wild within the confines of Hogwarts for months, and while Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave) may acknowledge this fact, what about the other students? The Harry Potter books contained an abundance of relationship drama, not limited to Hogwarts alone. So, why did the Harry Potter films fail to capture this essence?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry and Dumbledore, disregarded after their alert regarding Lord Voldemort's resurgence, find themselves under pressure from the Wizard authorities as an autocratic bureaucrat gradually takes control at Hogwarts.

Release Date: June 28, 2007

Director: David Yates

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Melling, Jason Boyd, Richard Macklin, Kathryn Hunter, Miles Jupp

Rating: PG-13

Genres: Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Mystery

Harry and Ginny Have No Chemistry in the Harry Potter Movies

Ginny Weasley (played by Bonnie Wright) in the Harry Potter books possesses fiery, confident, and sassy qualities that her on-screen character lacks. Described as one of the most attractive students at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Ginny captivates others with her vibrant eyes and flowing red hair, not to mention her impressive Quidditch skills. Throughout her time at Hogwarts, Ginny has harbored strong feelings for Harry Potter (portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe), despite attempting to move on by dating other people. While many admirers pursue her, Ginny never truly lets go of her love for Harry. It is not until Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts that he reciprocates those feelings. However, Harry understands the complications of falling for his best friend's sister and chooses to keep his emotions hidden. Encouraged by Ginny's boldness and self-assurance, Harry eventually succumbs to his feelings. On a triumphant note after a Quidditch match, Ginny confidently approaches Harry in the Gryffindor common room, locking eyes with determination, and embraces him tightly. In that moment, with everyone watching, Harry decides to publicly kiss Ginny.

Afterward, Harry and Ginny commence a romantic relationship. Although J.K. Rowling avoids explicit details, she suggests that their connection is passionate, as they frequently find secluded corners of the school to escape to, engage in intimate moments whenever possible, and enjoy picnics by the Black Lake. Ginny even admits to having witnessed Harry without his shirt on, which more or less verifies their closeness. Due to Ginny's preexisting popularity and the fact that Harry is the renowned Chosen One, they become the most sought-after couple at Hogwarts. However, Harry, aware of the risks involved as the Chosen One, breaks up with Ginny to protect her. Nevertheless, when they reunite the following summer, they cannot resist their intense attraction and resume their physical relationship. Clearly, their passionate bond is irresistibly strong, a quality that is unfortunately absent from the films.

Daniel Radcliffe and Bonnie Wright’s portrayal of Harry and Ginny fails to capture the audacious and forthright nature of their characters in the books. Instead of Ginny's spirited and cheeky personality, the films depict her as quiet, soft-spoken, and reserved. Although Ginny is kind and polite, her lack of personality is evident. Consequently, when Harry and Ginny finally come together in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, there is a complete absence of chemistry between them. Director David Yates replaces their original passionate kissing scene in the Gryffindor common room with a small, insignificant kiss shared in the Room of Requirement. This scene is, at best, sweet but ultimately awkward. Unlike their intense, impulsive, and reckless Gryffindor personas in the books, Harry and Ginny behave hesitantly and politely, resembling Hufflepuffs rather than fiery Gryffindors. It is truly disappointing that the films fail to depict the fiery chemistry between these two characters.

The Harry Potter Movies Fail Ron and Hermione

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

While Harry and Ginny's relationship only begins in the sixth Harry Potter film, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger's (Emma Watson) relationship has been developing since the first film. This development doesn't come from overt displays of affection, but rather from outward displays of irritation towards each other. Hermione, being more astute and wise, likely realized her feelings for Ron during their Third Year at Hogwarts. However, Ron was slow to catch on, either unwilling or unable to acknowledge that his jealousy and immature outbursts towards Hermione when she dated Viktor Krum (Stanislav Yanevski) were indications of his love for her. Unfortunately, the films tend to focus on Ron's flaws rather than highlighting his many admirable qualities. Ron is just as brave, loyal, and proactive in the fight against Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) as Harry and Hermione. However, in the films, his childish side is emphasized, often serving as comedic relief. This leaves fans wondering what Hermione saw in Ron. In the books, Ron consistently defends Hermione against Snape (Alan Rickman), Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), and others who belittle her. He is caring, supportive, and possesses qualities that Hermione finds attractive. Yet, in the films, many of Ron's significant moments are overshadowed. Furthermore, it is puzzling why Hermione didn't develop feelings for Harry, as they share more intimate moments than she does with Ron. For example, the dancing scene in the tent in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is a particularly intimate moment between Harry and Hermione. As they dance and gaze at each other, they come close to exploring what could have been.

Remus and Tonks Should Have Had More Scenes With Each Other

Image via Warner Bros.

Fitting an entire Harry Potter book into a two-hour film is impossible, causing the need to prioritize the main plot over subplots and side stories. Consequently, the relationships in the Harry Potter films are inserted abruptly, leaving the audience to accept them without warning. Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks' relationship is a prime example of this. In the book, Tonks pines over Remus, who initially rejects her due to his werewolf condition. Eventually, he relents, and their relationship develops, but this progression is not depicted in the films.

Tonks' love for Remus is so deep that her Patronus Charm transforms into a wolf. Even when they finally get together, Remus remains hesitant and insecure. He struggles to comprehend why Tonks would be attracted to him and feels guilty for burdening her. He believes that his werewolf status has isolated her from the wizarding world, causing him to question their relationship. Nevertheless, Tonks remains devoted to him. Troubled by his insecurities, Remus contemplates leaving when Tonks becomes pregnant, convinced that their child will inherit his affliction. However, witches and wizards can only become werewolves if bitten by another werewolf, rendering Remus' fears unfounded. Harry is infuriated by Remus' intentions to abandon Tonks and their unborn child, leading to a heated argument. Eventually, Remus listens to Harry's perspective and reunites with his wife. When their baby is born, Remus and Tonks ask Harry to be the child's godfather. None of this complexity and development is portrayed in the films.

In the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film, Remus and Tonks are suddenly depicted as a couple, with no explanation of their backstory. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Tonks briefly announces her pregnancy before both she and Remus are tragically killed in Part 2. These abrupt events lack any build-up, romance, or chemistry. The intricate and flawed relationship between Remus and Tonks, vividly described in the books, is entirely missed in the films.

How Do Bill and Fleur Get Together in the Books?

Image via Warner Bros.

Bill Weasley (Domhnall Gleeson) and Fleur Delacour (Clémence Poésy) are an example of a relationship that lacked depth on screen. In the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book, Fleur notices Bill when he comes to watch the Triwizard Tournament and is immediately attracted to him. They begin dating while working at Gringotts Bank in London and eventually get married. The films, however, fail to show their dating or how they got together. Suddenly, there is a wedding at the Burrow without much context. Despite meaningful relationships in the books, the Harry Potter movies did not fully explore their depth. All 8 Harry Potter movies are available to stream on Max.

Editor's P/S

The Harry Potter movies did a great job of bringing the magical world of Hogwarts to life, but they fell short in one important area: romance. The books are full of passionate relationships, but the movies often failed to capture this aspect of the story.

One of the most glaring examples of this is the relationship between Harry and Ginny. In the books, Harry and Ginny have a deep connection and their relationship is full of passion. However, in the movies, their relationship is often overshadowed by the other characters and their chemistry is lacking. This is a shame, because Harry and Ginny's relationship is one of the most important and satisfying parts of the story.