Regardless of how many ways an actor decides to come into a film, the cameo will always be one of the easiest ways to get forgotten. Not because the actor isn’t doing they’re job well, but some films are just so expansive that bit roles are difficult to discern. Such it was the case when a talented Briton pulled off a beautiful cameo a few years ago.
Miranda Richardson in Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire
As Rita Skeeter
Like every plot point in Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire Rita Skeeter’s subplot is severely reduced, but that doesn’t stop Miranda from being a light of fresh air in the often stiflingly dark film. She comes in a few moments after Harry has been (surprisingly) chosen as one of the finalists in the Tri-Wizard Competition. Looking decades younger than her age in a tight green number, Miranda manages to emanate the sort of sleazy charm that Rowling has imbued onto Rita (the literary version). There’s something just a little perverse as she runs her eyes over the champions, particularly Victor Krum and Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson who’s incidentally another forgotten character of the series). Miranda knows to work magic with her eyes, but it’s her voice that strikes me. It’s too fervently bubbly. Her ensuing interview with Harry in the broom cupboard is well handled, but too short to bring all the hilarity it should.
We meet her again momentarily, a few minutes before the first Tri-Wizard task. Snapping a picture of Hermione and Harry in an embrace she says sweetly, “If anything goes unfortunately today, you might make the front page.” She’s not one to be shot down either. As she’s advised to leave the tent she only smirks, remarking glibly “We've got what we wanted.” as she snaps another annoying photo. It’s not much in a film that’s quite long, but it reminds me of how talented Miranda is and how seldom we get a chance to notice. She is an excellent Rita Skeeter, but it’s not a principal leading role in anyway. Still, even if I wasn’t a fan of the series (the books at least) one mainstay of the film series is their consistency in finding delicious cameos for every working British actor. Miranda’s Rita is one of the better ones.
Don’t you think it’s time for Miranda to get back into a lead role? Were you charmed by her take on the sleazy reporter in The Goblet of Fire?
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