MovieChat Forums > The Witches (1990) Discussion > Miss Irvine's Expression

Miss Irvine's Expression

posted 11 years ago by DinerScene
6 replies | jump to latest

It’s my understanding that Miss Irvine’s expression during Luke’s transformation gives the impression that she’s disgusted and upset by what she’s witnessing. This seems to be the first glimpse the viewer sees of her questioning her role as a witch and the witches overall goal of destroying children.

The problem I have with her being so distraught by Luke’s transformation is that she was overjoyed and ecstatic by Bruno’s transformation. Throughout Bruno’s entire transformation you see her smiling and leaning on the table, amazed at what she’s witnessing. Even just before Luke is force-fed Formula 86, she unfolds the table the witches hold him to, she holds him down and plugs his nose, and says “Don’t bite” with a smile.

So what’s with the sudden turn around? Why does she almost instantly change her mind and find what they’ve done repulsive? I have a feeling it’s because Luke’s transformation was so gruesome but I mean come on, so was Bruno’s…

[–] CroseusProject 11 years ago

Good observation. It does seem inconsistent that one minute she's enjoying it and the next she's looking like it's disturbing her. She did say to herself when she's eating alone in her room that she never wanted to be one of them anyway. Perhaps she was pretending to enjoy it. Putting on an act to please the Grand High Witch.

[–] velcronewsletter 11 years ago

i have to rewatch that so i can see it, i don't remember that bit. maybe she thought it was fun the first time (adrenaline pumping etc) but when she saw it the second time she decided she wasn't cut out for all of this murder by mouse stuff

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let's not go to camelot, it is a silly place

[–] Swiftbow 11 years ago

Interestingly, when the Witches first arrive at the hotel, the Grand High Witch takes a look at a child in a painting, snickering to herself. Moments later, Miss Irvine touches the child in the painting and he vanishes. Given the ending, I'd bet he was set free rather than finished off.

So, kind of seemed like she was acting against them in secret from the start, though maybe it was more a case of wavering.

[–] velcronewsletter 11 years ago

i really have to watch the film again. i didn't remember that happening and i'll keep a lookout for it. as she wasn't in the book, i can understand why the grandmother doesn't say anything about good witches. but if she was one in the first place, your theory could make sense. however, she never really took steps against them and struck out on her own afterwards so i'm more inclined to think she wavered for a minute

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let's not go to camelot, it is a silly place

[–] DinerScene 11 years ago

I watched that painting scene again. It doesn't look like Irvine even touched the child...It looks like the GHW offed him.

Irvine is definitely an evil witch from the start. As the audience, we are supposed to believe that the GHW's mistreatment is what turns Irvine good. Really the point I'm trying to make is that she loves it when Bruno turns into a mouse, but hates it when Luke does? It's such a fast turn around. I can't see any justification except that the audience is supposed to like Luke whereas Bruno is a slob who it doesnt matter if he is a mouse or not.

[–] 11 years ago

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