Like so many, many other Gringoires, the 1997 version of The Hunchback falls into the romantic guy category. However, unlike other Gringoires he doesn’t do anything, he’s kind of just there to be Esmeralda’s love interest.
Other Gringoires try and help save Esmeralda by means of the written word or a speech. In this version Quasimodo does the leg work and Gringoire just helps out in passing out Quasimodo’s pamphlet, leading the riot and getting the noose of Esmeralda’s neck.
One could argue that Gringoire doesn’t do that much in the book but he does have a personality here is doesn’t really.
I think he is sincere in his affections for Esmeralda but this Gringoire isn’t really allowed to do much except be nice and follow Quasimodo’s plan.
Next time – Clopin
Why do so many adaptions depict Gringoire as dark-haired? Wasn’t he supposed to be blond?
yes. But I think the reason so many films depict him with darker hair is because he becomes a vagabond/gypsy and the traditional thinking is that gypsies have darker hair.