A quick thought on the punch vs slap dichotomy

[heidi]

I'm irked about the punch vs slap, because in the book, it actually showcases something about Draco's character which will be transformed in the movie into something entirely different. She slaps him, he walks away. Whether he does this because you don't voluntarily touch a Mudblood for any reason whatsoever, or because you don't hit girls even if they're Mudbloods, or because he really does have a massive crush on her that he's unwilling to admit, even to himself, that's completely lost in the film, where she punches him hard enough to require Crabbe and Goyle to carry him off (but his nose isn't bleeding? What's up with that?).


Oh, and does anyone still have my "Does Lucius Know?" D/Hr icon from around the release of CoS? I can't find it and would love to get it back...

Comments

[owlman.livejournal.com]

She punches his lefy eye/cheek, which does not result in a nose injury.

Of course at that age a slap is likely to cause a lot more damage than any punch.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Poor woobie! So now that he's finally recovered from that brutal Hippogryff attack, he's going to have to deal with a black eye?

Man, Lucius is going to be pissed.

[chinawolf.livejournal.com]

Can't. Stop. Laughing. At your icon. Well, and at you. *hugs*

[owlman.livejournal.com]

I fail to see what Lucius' drinking habits have to do with this ;)

[curia-regis.livejournal.com]

Or maybe he knows that Lucius is obsessed with her so he respects his father's wishes. Well I can dream, can't I? :D

Ehhh, perhaps Tom Felton doesn't want fake blood on his robes?

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

I know where you're going with this, but really, I think Lucius is much more obsessed with Ginny ;)

[curia-regis.livejournal.com]

*points to icon*

But don't you think they look adorable together?

[ackonrad.livejournal.com]

I watched the trailer just once, but I think that she punched his cheek, not his nose. That's why he's not bleeding.

I hated this moment, BTW. So not canon. Gah.

*snuggles Draco*

[cherii-emrei.livejournal.com]

Yup, I have a problem with that punch, too!

First, what guy/male is going to let a girl get away with punching him on the face. A punch in the face is so crossing a border. Getting a slap you know you did something wrong, but a punch calls for a fight!

Second, what are the teachers going to say? Fighting is not condoned, and neither is (or I imagine it shouldn't) losing your temper to punch someone out.

Third, Draco staggers! He staggers!

*rolls eyes* Too inconsistent.

If she punches him, there should be revenge.
If she punches him, she should get detention from the teachers for doing that. Especially because she's the 'good' student.

[boniblithe.livejournal.com]

Because in a movie that's being made for younger teens there isn't a lot of room for subtly layered character development, and a punch looks better on screen.

I think she hit him right between the eyes, in that sensitive chakra area. I bet his chi will be off for days. LOL

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

That just crosses the line for me from "actual thing that has happened," into "inappropriate girlpower moment." I seem to hate every change the movie makes to Hermione.

[spare-change.livejournal.com]

Well, I would argue that even JKR is unable to admit to that massive crush ;) ... but I was also really annoyed by that punch. And also by the fact that they couldn't even come up with a new insult for him. >:|

[roguebitch.livejournal.com]

I actually *liked* the punch. I would've punched. Even if it hit him on the cheekbone instead of the nose.

[lizardlaugh.livejournal.com]

I don't have a problem with the punch from Hermione's perspective. Had something similar happen to me as a kid (bully) and I punched the shit out of him. He never made fun of me again. And no, I didn't get in trouble for the same reason Hermione won't -- being the "good kid". Actually, I suspect my teachers thought the little bastard had it coming.

And as an aside... I think here is where the breakdown comes in terms of JKR's feelings towards Draco. JKR was a working class kid who was bullied by people like Draco. She wore big glasses and was unattractive and picked on. I can relate, because I was like that in Jr. High. As much as readers see something more in Draco (and there just might be, I wouldn't be surprized, I see it too), he's never going to be anything more than asshole, even if he is 'good'. Sort of like Snape -- redeemed, but still a jerk. JKR is going to punish him because it is like punishing those kids who treated you badly in school. Revenge. She probably doesn't feel sorry for him at all because it is not very easy to feel sorry for your tormentors.

[emma-malfoy.livejournal.com]

A hard impact to the face doesnt always result in blood.

When I was eight I got a soccer ball to the face that was kicked by a semi-professional player that caused me to lose conciousness and yet didnt result in a bloody nose.

It depends.

I hate the punch. Hate it hate it HATE IT!

[sarahtales.livejournal.com]

CARRY HIM OFF?!!!! CARRY HIM OFF!!!!!!
Oh God, this movie is actually going to be good, and I am not going to care because I will be screaming 'why lord why must you grind my baby under your boot heel?'

[anjenue.livejournal.com]

Er...question about that, actually. That's definitely Crabbe with Draco...but who's the other kid? Not Goyle, that's for sure.

[dramaturgy.livejournal.com]

I'm just so relieved that they got rid of that horrid slicked back look. Which didn't look slick at all, just ridiculous.