Sorceror's Stone Movie Review(of Alan Rickman's portrayal of Snape)

NOW COMPLETED!

Bookmarks to:
1st Scene at Hall * Class * Halloween * Quidditch (morning) * Quidditch (the game itself) * Midnight Meeting * The Hallway * End Feast * 2nd Version of Class scene

THE FOLLOWING ASSUMPTIONS ARE MADE IN THIS MOVIE REVIEW:
1. No comparisons are to be made to the book in any way, shape, or form.
2. One will try their hardest to fight against the preconceived notions of characters, scenes, ect. The movie is another version of Rowling's story, and certain liberties have been taken.
3. I will reiterate this -- THE MOVIE IS NOT THE BOOK!

1st scene at Hall
Here we get our first image of Rickman's Snape. It is quiet, thoughtful. He has his hand to his chin, which is an indication of thoughtfulness. This is interesting -- we see the change between obvious disinterest to what Quirrell is saying to looking at Potter. The next shot is of Potter rubbing his scar, but then we go back to Snape -- and Rickman now is fiddling with his collar.

In On Method Acting, a book by Edward Dwight Easty, this action of rubbing the chin has several connotations. Easty says of this action:

"A man who on the surface is full of assurance regarding his capabilities may make several gestures that belie his words. Running his fingers over that part of his face he shaves and feeling the stubble is his way of assuring himself that he is man enough to do what is required of him."

This is an intriguing analysis, one that if found to be true gives some depth to Rickman's Snape.

One thing to notice about Rickman's Snape is how he uses his hands to express more than his face. Rickman controls his facial expressions in Snape's role, but his hands are moving everywhere. This scene is the first indication of such a device. Through such gestures as

We have some more talking, and then they eat. Potter asks Percy Who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell? There is a brief shot of him 'eating' (to me he's only pantomiming)-- still focuses on Quirrell, who looks down at his plate. This is a second indication of the 'interest' Snape is showing in Quirrell. At least they mention that he's been after Quirrel's job for years.

Class
One must realize that this is the very first image that we have of Snape, both from the movie and the book's perspective. Notice the classroom -- not in a dungeon, but rather a windowed room. The colors are in neutral tones (notice the predominance of tan), which can be juxtaposed harshly to the harsh black of the students AND Snape. This is an interesting study in set design, for in this case, the room does not reflect his character. I think the windows are there only for practicability issues (kinda hard to set up a camera in a dungeon with torch light).

One of the more unique aspects of Rickman's portrayal of Snape is his command over his facial features. Compared to [the actor who played Quirrell], who employed many cool little ticks of eyebrows, cheeks, and mouth, there is an almost disturbing lack of these in Rickman's Snape. This is most noticeable in the classroom scene.

To watch Rickman as Snape in this scene was quite unnerving for me, at least. I saw none of the little quirks that I was expecting; instead I saw a cold, uncomfortable, and very unpleasant character. It was certainly nothing I was expecting. It was shocking. It took me several viewings of the same scene to even start looking at the scene from an artistic point of view.

The impression starts with the shot from we are to presume is his podium. The children chat quietly. And then -- very suddenly -- he comes in, saying his first line: There will be no foolish wandwaving and silly incantations in this class.

I had several, almost violent reactions to both his entrance and the way he inflected the line. I think this only occurred because of my personal study of Snape's character, and the fact that I was expecting a smooth, unctuous voice (which I think is the general impression generated in the books) and a controlled entrance. What to my surprise when the entrance is made in a huge burst of energy? What to my surprise when the line came out harsh, unrefined, and overly uncomfortable to hear?

I shuddered. Literally.

Is this a sign of a bad characterization? How can an actor miss such an obvious trait of human speech as natural inflection? Or am I missing something?

Several characteristics I think can be said about the choice of inflection and the initial entrance. It has been discussed before that Snape moves quickly and purposely because he's a man of action. This is shown in his activities in the first book -- moving behind the scenes to stop Quirrell from getting to the Stone. So perhaps the quick action shows Snape's capability at acting quickly. See also how he says the line while he is moving. I suppose this can be a stronger indication of his ability of doing more than one thing at once. But I believe more strongly the idea that it is a subtle sign of his natural deception. We focus on his movement (because we are naturally more action oriented) rather his words. It also helps that he comes toward the camera -- rather than perhaps a side shot.

Consider that in English, emphasis tends to dwindle on a declarative statement. When one says "The dog ate the cat's food", the inflection tends to go down, making the first half of the sentence more emphasized. With the first line of this scene however, the opposite is true. I think this is what makes the line unnatural. It is contrary to English speech patterns.

However, this stops when the angle changes. The next shot is taken from the back of the classroom. This shot is efficient in showing that his voice can really 'keep a class silent without effort'. While it is a little unrealistic (the voice is dubbed over, thus creating a conundrum of the distance we see portrayed on the screen and the volume of the voice) it is still successful in helping build the dominate presence Snape has in the classroom.

Also notice the pacing now. There is no rush -- everything is said at a rather slow pace, one that is tinted with power, rather than slowness of mind. Obviously Rickman's Snape knows his power in the classroom, and is neither afraid nor hesitant to make the students wait for him.

We see him speak the lines almost carelessly -- with little effort. He doesn't make eye contact with the students. So this makes the effect when he does make the effort to make eye contact (the shift to what could be a general lookup upon the class to Mafloy on the line However, for those select few who possess the predisposition.... ) dynamic. Perhaps what draws our attention to this is the fact he moves his head with the change. Smooth and quickly, like a snake, see?

While he stands at the podium, we cannot help but notice his hands. They are grasping each other, manipulating and grinding at each other. This action is to be noticed as a common aspect of all of Rickman's gestures. There is a subconscious desire to manipulate, to control, but also to reduce to the atomic size any thing which he happens to grasp on.

Therefore, its a superbly fitting gesture.

Something a little annoying .. why are there bubbling pots if it is 1) the first day of school and 2)the students do not know any potions yet? Maybe to add to the intimidating atmosphere. The bubbling pots certainly help when the room is silent.

Notice that the rest of the shots are from a low camera angle -- this helps further the character's domineering presence in the classroom.

Please notice how the shots are arranged in this part: Rickman says: However, for those select few who possess the predisposition.... , then Rickman turns his head toward someone else off screen, and then the shot of Mafloy (Tom Felton) looking almost awed.

To tell the truth, I couldn't conceive why people would even consider a Snape\Draco sexual relationship. Then I watched this scene. There is an almost perverse adoration for this guy. This must be movie magic because I get none of this from the book. Of course, this is a nice buildup for the second movie, where the apparent disgust of Rickman's character to Mafloy is thrown helter-skelter (as in when Mafloy is thrown rudely to Snape's feet).

While Rickman says I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can show you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death, a really unique and character-defining gesture is made. It is the one that many at some time try to reproduce, either in the safety of our apartments or in public. He takes the edges of his robes, and crosses his arms, draping the cloak around him.

I have a theory as to possible interpretations, seeing as this is a rather dominate gesture. It is a symbolic shield. Easty says of this action: "Have you ever been standing talking to someone and discovered that the only comfortable position you can find for yourself is with your arms folded across your chest? The person speaking to you may not be saying anything openly derogatory to you but something in his voice, his manner, his intonation, or maybe even his carriage has instinctively put you on your guard causing you to cross your arms and provide yourself with a symbolic shield, all without ever knowing it."

It is like he is barring himself from the others. The wrapping of the cloak in addition to this gesture accentuates the dominance of this trait. He is on guard, against what and who we do not know (in the film). This would certainly fit with his character as we Snapeists know it, and to me seems the most likely interpretation.

Any doubt about Rickman's lack of ability to sound remotely human is thrown out the window when he notices Potter not paying attention (this is indicated with splices of Potter writing). At least a reason is given for his dislike (even if it is as petty as him not paying attention in class). Notice the short, clipped, businesslike tone of the questions. Indicates he knows exactly what the answers will be, and they are not 'Draught of Living Death', 'stomach of a goat', and 'they are the same plant". The voice is an excellent vehicle for this true intention of the questions.

Notice the action before this -- a flair of the cloak, and the hand which repeats the grasping seen in earlier gestures. It is very impressive to me, at least. He looks malevolent. The grinding could very well apply to Potter.

Several points about his last shot (in this scene):
1. Though the camera angle is the same, Rickman looks rather harrowed and disheveled. The wig helps this, and I wonder if it is intentional.
2. He doesn't focus on anyone; instead there is an almost dazed look to him.
3. There is something unnerving about how he says Clearly fame isn't everything. Is it Mr. Potter?.I notice that the only thing moving is his mouth. While this sounds silly to notice, think how much of our face we move when we speak. There are little ticks of the eyes, involuntary twitches of the forehead and cheek, tiny shifts of the head. Our whole body is involved in speaking -- this is why someone can lie and yet there can be the sense of doubt, even though nothing in the words indicate otherwise. So something which at first I took to be just bad characterization is really a potent statement; it is obvious that Snape, who is a master of his emotions, would show none.

I think this is evidence that Rickman might be a better actor that perceived; because for this role, one has to be very conscientious of one's self, and then learn to not display those little quirks which are more Rickman's than Snape's. In a perhaps less experienced actor's hands, this role might have started in the Spirit of Snape, but quickly diminished to a cliched, evil man portrayal of a character we know to be very complicated.

Halloween
The shot of Snape slipping through the side door shows obvious concern. My first thought was "So he can use his face? Wow...." This one action -- getting up and exiting through the door is done at a higher energy, or as those in the 'actor business' call it, tempo. This quicker tempo is revealing. We know Snape is up to something himself, and I find myself, who pretended that I knew nothing of the story -- a little excited. On the edge of my seat. Amazing how one can give this indication through a simple movement. To someone who doesn't know the story this is quite the suspense-builder. Effective, I think.

There is an interlude while Harry and Ron fight the troll, and then the entrance of the teachers. Notice Snape's concern, but he is slightly late.

I like this scene, because it is an example of the power of mere glances. Rickman doesn't have one line in this scene and yet he manages to convey suspicion and distrust of Potter. And just so you don't think that I absolutely adore Rickman's Snape, I did have to try hard to see and even identify how Snape looked. Certainly to someone who watched this movie for the first time without reading the books, it would seem very suspicious of Snape's character. The thing is, I don't know if the ambiguousness is planned by Rickman or not.

When Granger says Its my fault, Professor McGonagall, we see somewhat of an obvious statement of disbelief. It is a little too obvious for my liking, but that's only because I thought Snape would hide many of his feelings and emotions, like he did in the classroom scene. This one expression sets up a reason for his behaviour at the end of the film, when he questions them in the hallway. It also helps reinforce one trait of Snape's that is seen in the books -- one that knows Harry, Hermione, and Ron are liars and are up to no good. No words are needed to express this trait.

I will ignore the general relationship between Snape's wound and the size of Fluffy. I would think that a dog that big would have a bigger bite...oh well. We see in Rickman's clothes that he has been doing something physical, through the dust and roughness of his clothes. I find this is a nice subtle costume choice.

There is a typical Snape lack-of-reaction when McGonagall gives the boys points. I like how Rickman carries his head: prideful, questioning, and only the hint of suspicion.

The end confrontation seems to be added only to show the relationship of Quirrel to Snape. They stop each other, shoot looks, and Snape leaves. Frankly this is perhaps the first indication of hostility. All I know is that I was jarred a little (perhaps expecting the smooth, quick movement characterized by his previous movements). It was a nice touch.

Qudditch (Morning)
The next appearance of Snape is quite enigmatical, I suppose. Quite a change from the suspicious, pale image of the last scene. I was quite struck by the change in the colour of his face. In this scene it is more of the sallow, sickly yellow familiar in Snape's book descriptions. I can't even see his eyes -- they seem squinted, narrowed at least.

The physiogamy is quite unappealing, overall. A slight upward tilt of the camera increases Snape's authority. Overall a nice shot of Rickman's Snape.

However I am confused by Rickman's line Good luck today, Potter. Certainly a character that has shown much hidden animosity toward Potter would not walk up to him and wish him good luck. And certainly Snape in the books would not concede to wishing Potter luck. A difference, then, from Rickman's Snape and the Snape from the novels. I know it is probably sarcastic, but that wasn't my first inclination, not by the way the line is said.

Notice the control Rickman has over his eyes -- how, right before he exits, he looks to where Ron is, then where Hermione is, and then leaves. Suspicion abounds in the look.

A quip, more than anything, is the fact that Rickman doesn't limp much. I couldn't even identify it as a limp. I think it is the character Snape's attempt to hide an injury. If this is it he did it well.

Qudditch (The Game Itself)
I have, for convenience, divided this into shots. There are a total of six different shots as one progresses through the scene, spliced of course between the game, Harry struggling on his broomstick, ectera.

A. [After Slytherin scores] Rickman wears a look of minor pleasure -- he IS their Head of House, after all.

B. [After the discovery of the broom being jinxed] The focus of the shot is on Snape (he is smack dab in the middle of the shot) but one can see Quirrell looking up, also nervously. Nice insight from Ian Hart (the guy who played Quirrell). Actually, the statement is being made that Quirrell can jinx the broom just by concentrating on it -- while Snape must say his counter jinx out loud? I don't recall this system being specified in the books. Another liberty taken in the movie.

A peeve-- why does Rickman look straight ahead while the others around him are looking up? I realize this is probably a director's decision, but it doesn't make sense! The broom is above them, and he stares ahead? I don't know.

But I do admit the gaze is piercing -- full of concentration. The image is that of The Evil Villain concentrating on Harry's demise. Of course, it does look scary -- and Rickman does a very good job of demonstrating the effort of the jinx while seated.

Just a wonder -- what is Rickman saying?

C. [more broom antics] More of the previous scene, except more intense.

D. [shot of Hermione running up the stairs] I almost begin to see the urgency and the desperation on Rickman's face. Another emotion definitely enters the scene.

E. [more Hermione]. This is the shot where we follow Hermione up the stairs, and the camera pans to outside, where we get a view of Rickman sitting. Notice how he is sitting -- the hands are placed upon his knees.

The cool thing about this close shot is that I begin to see a sort of desperation characterized in Rickman's Snape. This only comes after knowing the plot and what happens to Snape. The greatness to many of Rickman's gestures is that they can be taken multiple ways- a uniquely Snape trait.

Knowing Snape, then Rickman's actions are wonderful, because we see the effort -- making Snape actually care. I really like it.

This shot also makes apparent Snape's greasy hair.

F. [after Potter wins]. His actions in this shot speak of relief, but it is subdued. The shifting eyes tell me that he wanted to make sure no one saw him, for that certainly looks suspicious. But knowing Snape as many does, the gesture indicates a fear of getting caught. Even now, when he is saving Potter, he is worried, though the act is not immoral. Either that or he knows his act might be considered evil. Nonetheless, he doesn't want to attract suspicion, a typical Snape trait. Rickman shows it well. The slight heavy breathing is the coup de grace.

Midnight meeting
Everything in this scene adds to the menacing, horrible, and overall evil look that Rickman's Snape has brought to the character. I must say, this is a good portrayal of a quiet, threatening person, such as Snape.

Notice the predominately blue tone of the scene. Those in the theatre\ movies know that colour always arouses an emotion response, which can help establish the mood and atmosphere for the scene. The choice of blue has been noted to ilicit emotional values such as calm, cold, formal, spiritual, pure, truthful, depressing. I think the tone of this scene can be described as many of the above, especially cold, formal, and truthful. Again, a seemingly 'evil' scene for Snape, but actually a quite revealing one.

I like the decision for the camera to circle around Snape and Quirrell -- it builds the anxiety and tension of the scene, and makes the observation more forbidden (Harry isn't supposed to see this).

The cause of tension is of course, when Snape reaches out into the space as if he saw the cloak. I do not know what the directors are supposing by this action, and it is slightly disturbing. Whether it means Snape has better eyesight than supposed, or whether he is attuned to seeing invisibility cloaks, or maybe because he just has a heightened sense of awareness because of who he is -- I do not know. But it is not in any book that I can determine. Even in the fourth book, Snape must blindly feel for Harry and his Invisibility cloak, and even then he's not sure Harry is there. [see "The Egg and the Eye"chapter]. And while it makes for some spooky watching, as well as a rather artistic gesture from Rickman (when for a moment he looks at his hand, perhaps in confusion, and then back to haranguing Quirrell), I for one don't see it being particularly truthful in the books. However, in defence of the director, I see that it furthers a Snape trait of hyper-awareness of surroundings.

Something I noticed about his face during several parts of this scene is when his face is half in shadow, and it looks like he has huge black rings around his eyes. I thought immediately that the makeup crew had gotten to him, to perhaps make him a little more meaner and evil. But it also could be completely natural -- considering where the scene takes place.

There is also an interesting turn of motivation when Filch finally arrives and tells them a student is out of bed. I see actually concern on Rickman's face as they go off running toward the library.

The Hallway (I don't have another name for it, but it's when he encounters the Trio after the meeting with McGonagall concerning the Sorcerer's stone)
I love watching this scene because it is a recursion of the beginning images and impressions we have from Snape. After seeing him act cohersively, he demonstrates his 'classroom' behaviour -- controlled, powerful, and quiet. Especially after the other middle scenes of the film, this last [important] shot nicely rounds off the overall impression we are supposed to get from Snape. Especially in juxtaposition with the other scenes, this one is more potent. For the person seeing the film for the first time, this scene reminds us of the duality of Snape's behaviour -- and how his closed, shifty eyes indicate an evil character. This impression is compounded even more when we find out Snape was trying to SAVE Harry.

Anyway, in this scene Snape appears almost as if out of thin air. If one watches the scene carefully, he actually is walking in the opposite direction, but then turns around. Still, if one isn't expecting it, it is quite unnerving.

The set up is unsuspecting, there is a shot of Ron, and then his voice, seemingly out of thin air. Every entrance is meant to build up the menacing aspect of Snape's character, and this one is no exception. Rupert Grint's reaction cements the feeling -- the "oh-crap-we're-dead-Snape's-here" idea.

The next shot of Snape brings back the slightly elevated camera angle, making him cold, distant, and aloof.

I was struck by how this shot (like the morning of the Quidditch match) makes Rickman's face sallow again. Rickman controls his face again, making him more like a talking statue than anything remotely human.

Except when Hermione tries to make an excuse -- and we see suspicion, in addition to a sarcastic indication of interest, in Rickman's slight tilt of his head. Yet he allows himself the customary 'yes, I see', gesture which is usually a raising of the head up [I think a subconscious statement saying that a higher plane of understanding has been reached]. But here it is used in a sarcastic manner, because Snape knows Hermione is lying, and that they are...up to something.

Then an odd fight between eyes occurs which is not indicated in any lines, but which is carried out between Snape and Harry.

The following is a supposition, but since I think Daniel Radcliffe is not as experienced as Rickman is in acting, I think he was told by the director to squint his eyes to indicate his displeasure, his suspicion -- and in return Rickman returned with a barely discernable remark. Totally in character for the both of them.

He is a little more awake in this scene -- I can see his eyes.

I love how he says the line People will think you're up to something. Broken apart, and overly different than normal instinctual way of saying the line. Obviously not meaning what he says, Rickman makes it obvious that Snape knows something is up. He ends with the shifty eye movement, a knowing glance, and whips around and leaves.

The billowing robes, a staple for his character, are included and nicely finish the image of Snape.

***Please remember that after this scene we find out Snape saved Harry. Any requisite shots now just complicate our image of Snape, because we know he has hidden intentions***

End Feast
The lone shot of Snape clapping is appropriate -- this is after Slytherin wins the House Cup yet before it gets given to Gryffindor. Yet there is no joy in it. Why not? Actually, Rickman is looking somewhere off camera -- where, and who, we don't know. It is probably Potter, though. But this simple shot is calculating, in a sense. This end shot is quite enigmatical.

And the very last shot is odd-- shown right after the Headmaster awards the additional points, it is just him looking toward the Headmaster. Why? Is Snape's reaction SO important? I don't think so.

For those of you with the VHS version [I don't think it's on the DVD] there is an alternate version of Snape's classroom scene. But it was cut from the movie. It shows a different characterization of Snape.

The camera angle changes to a caddy corner behind where Potter is sitting. Rickman is seen to cross very quickly through the students, pull up a stool right in front of Potter and sits.

I am utterly boggled by that action. It violates the distance that Snape imposes on himself between himself and his students. It violates the 'classroom self' that he imposed in the earlier part of the scene. And, it's just plain uncomfortable. (In defence, it does show a confrontational side when need be. Example: The Midnight scene).

However, it is sweet how Rickman smoothly answers the questions using the information in the books, clear and distinct (I especially love the pronunciation of 'aconite' which is hard compared to the silence in the room). Of course this way of speaking shows that Snape is a Potions master, confident in all his knowledge, and it is quite powerful.

Of course, he turns around and says Well? Why aren't you all writing this down? so patronizingly. It doesn't make sense, though, considering he got on to Harry for taking notes. Perhaps this is a reason the scene was cut.

He moves back (swiftly) to his desk and writes, saying a little spiel (and more quotes from the book). Oddly enough the desk is in a yellow light, contrasting sharply with the dark looks Rickman shoots Potter. That scene is confusing also.

I don't know why exactly this scene was cut. Maybe it was extra, not necessary to the plot. Maybe it accentuates traits of Snape's that aren't really important (though us Snapeists are screaming in protest -- all traits of Snape's are important). Maybe it just didn't turn out like it should have. I don't know.

Any questions, answers, radically different interpretations, agreements, or disagreements please do not hesitate to email me.
I have also been considering finding pictures to accompany these reviews. Any thoughts?