Why 'The Crimes of Grindelwald' Falls Short: An Analysis of Storytelling in Movies

When it comes to the movie adaptation of J.K. Rowling's 'The Crimes of Grindelwald,' critiques often center around its low profitability and popularity shortcomings. These issues stem not just from the external controversies surrounding the production but also from fundamental flaws in the movie's adaptation of a complex and verbose literary narrative. This article delves into the reasons why 'The Crimes of Grindelwald' might not resonate as strongly as its source material.

J.K. Rowling's Writing Style and Film Adaptation

One of the key issues with 'The Crimes of Grindelwald' lies in the stark contrast between J.K. Rowling's writing style and the requirements of screenwriting. Rowling's novels are characterized by a verbose and detailed narrative style, with a penchant for extensive scenes that could span hundreds of pages. This approach works splendidly in books where readers can immerse themselves in the richly detailed storytelling. However, when adapted to film, this style often becomes problematic. The movie adaptation attempts to translate these long, drawn-out scenes into a 120-minute runtime, resulting in a story that feels rushed and underdeveloped. Parts of the film open quickly, reaching climaxes too early and then slowing down noticeably, lacks coherence and consistent pacing.

Plot and Storytelling Issues

The movie's narrative structure faces several significant challenges. It largely relies on exposition, a technique used extensively, often through characters walking or standing around and reciting the story or history. This can make the film feel slow and repetitive. For example, a pivotal moment in the film, the climax, unfolds without proper buildup or preparation, leading to a sense of disconnect and disappointment for the audience. Similarly, while the movie attempts to show character development, it frequently does so through flashbacks, detracting from the flow of the narrative and reducing the emotional depth that could be achieved with more integrated storytelling.

Character and Plot Development

Another significant issue is the abundance of excessive characters that receive more attention than they warrant. This often dilutes the focus and intensity of key storylines, making it difficult for the audience to engage fully with the narrative. The film struggles to maintain a strong central storyline, with multiple subplots vying for attention. This cacophony of plot threads can be overwhelming and confusing, robbing the audience of the clarity and engagement that a well-crafted narrative should provide.

Conclusion: A Call for Simplification

While adapting 'The Crimes of Grindelwald' is a challenging task, the film could have benefited greatly from a more streamlined approach. Had the film been longer, it might have been able to flesh out character arcs, explore more crimes committed by Grindelwald, and maintain a consistent and engaging pace throughout. Additionally, a stand-alone sequel like the first 'Fantastic Beasts' film could have worked better, offering a self-contained story that would not have felt as constrained by the need to connect to later instalments.

In conclusion, 'The Crimes of Grindelwald' is a case study in the challenges faced when adapting a richly detailed literary work to cinema. While 'Fantastic Beasts' still has devoted fans, it falls short of the potential it could have reached. However, this critique is not meant to undermine the fans' enjoyment of the movie. Rather, it highlights the complex interplay between source material and its adaptation, emphasizing the importance of careful storytelling in the transition from page to screen.