Abandon Quote by Roger Ebert
“While I am usually in despair when a movie abandons its plot for a third act given over entirely to action, I have no problem with the way Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ends, because it has been pointing toward this ending, hinting about it, preparing us for it, all the way through. What a glorious movie.”
About This Quote
Source Film Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 2002
The film’s ending feels earned because earlier hints built expectation, despite a plot‑heavy third act.
In simple terms: Foreshadowing makes the climax satisfying.
Key Takeaway
Notice early clues to anticipate outcomes.
Themes
storytelling
foreshadowing
structure
Mood
appreciative
analytical
Type
critical
interpretive
When to use this quote
- writing a novel
- planning a product launch
- teaching a class
Key Concepts
narrative design
audience expectation
film criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does foreshadowing affect your engagement?
- Do you enjoy surprise or payoff?
A Different Perspective
Some viewers prefer pure action over setup.
![“Gene [Siskel] often mentioned something François Truffaut once told him: the most beautiful sight in a movie theater is to walk down to the front, turn around, and look at the light from the screen reflected on the upturned faces of the members of the audience.” quote by Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d8/roger-ebert-655_audience_gene-siskel-often-mentioned-something-fr_61356.jpg)
