Magic Beyond Worlds: The J.K. Rowling Story (A&E DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: D Feature: B
J.K.
Rowling, one of the greatest writers of the time, the author who brought you Harry
Potter, his books, movies and more. But
how did it all start out, who was J.K. Rowling before she was famous? From rags to riches, life of this famous
author, from her childhood to the school she was brought up in, the kind of
family and friends she had, from her divorce a single mother on government
welfare to becoming the one of the world's wealthiest woman. Everything that influenced her, you get an
insight to what helped her create Harry Potter.
Magic Beyond Words is a new Lifetime
Network co-production that tells us about her. Rowling was just an ordinary girl with a
special gift. Raised in England, she
was influenced greatly by her mother, who taught her values, virtues and the
meaning to chase after her dreams, but life isn't easy or like the fairy tales,
after the death of her mother, a failed marriage with an abusive husband, she
was left penniless with single child to raise. Living on government aid and looking for work,
but with help with her friends she started writing Harry Potter. Even afterwards, as an unknown author she
faced the difficulty of finding an editor and (several) publishing houses who
were willing to publish her book and able to look beyond the cover of the book.
From the English schools, her teachers, the place she lived in, the society and
people around her, you could see (literally) how J.K. Rowling mirror
characters, places and situations for her book, Harry Potter. The film at times used special/magical effects
to show the creative fantasy world that J.K. Rowling lived in, how she was
rejected one from one place to another and how she overcame all her hardships. But like hidden gem, her book took the world
by storm and became an international hit that would be enjoyed by generations
to come.
- Ricky Chiang
