Magic Beyond Words: The JK Rowling Story

Based on the unauthorized J.K. Rowling—A Biography by Sean Smith, this 2011 Lifetime TV movie tells the story of the titular Harry Potter author. Chronicling her childhood—which included playing fantasy games in the Forest of Dean, being bullied, and being encouraged and read to by her multiple sclerosis-afflicted mother—the film also explores her Hermione-esque braininess and rebellion while attending Wydean School as Head Girl, her disappointment at not getting into Oxford (and later graduation in languages from the University of Exeter), and subsequent multiple jobs. Magic Beyond Words serves up glaring symbolic examples of Rowling's inspiration for the Harry Potter series (a trolley lady on the train, floating candles, a building that morphs into a Gringotts-like establishment). Although we see her working constantly on the first book, the film ups the drama by focusing on Rowling's stint as an English teacher in Portugal, her brief marriage to a TV journalist (who here drunkenly abuses her), and her issues with government assistance before she ultimately rockets to fame and fortune. Rowling is played here by the 10-years-younger Australian actress Poppy Montgomery. While this melodramatic rags-to-riches tale is unsanctioned by the Rowling camp, the overwhelming popularity of the author's beloved fantasy series makes this a strong optional purchase. (J. Williams-Wood)