Hey guys, a little different and non-beauty related today but I thought I'd share my thoughts on both the book and movie versions of the Divergent story for those of you that are yet to delve into that world.
Now, I did this totally wrong. Although I had planned on reading the book before the film was out, I had never got around to it and the film release was upon me before I knew it. I went along with a group of friends to watch it thinking it wouldn't make a difference, but when it came to reading the book I had essentially spoilt it for myself as I knew how the plot line would unfold; page after page.
Despite this, I still really enjoyed both versions. For anyone that doesn't know, here's a quick rundown with as little spoilers as possible. Beatrice Prior lives in a dystopian world where everyone in the city is divided into factions who have to live and behave according to their beliefs; brave, selfless, kind, smart or honest. When you turn 16 you can choose to leave your family and faction behind to live in another. Beatrice becomes Tris when she switches from Abnegation, the selfless, to Dauntless, the brave. Where she finds that maybe she can't be defined by just one trait, but there are horrible consequences in store if she makes herself known as Divergent...
The film definitely stayed true to the book, which I like in adaptations, with a few minor scenes deleted but that has to be expected in a 2 hour movie. The characterisation I felt was very good, and the movie saw these characters come to life. The casting was done extremely well, Shailene Woodley and Theo James play the protagonists exactly how the book describes. Although I ruined this for myself when I'd seen the film first so I knew how to picture them. (And it also helps that James, the love interest, is easy on the eyes!) The cinematography throughout the film is pretty good, as is the miss-en-scene. They managed to capture the desolation of the outskirts of the city after the war really well. The costume design was integral for this movie, as it's one of the main things that sets the factions apart. And I felt for the most part, the clothing was designed really well. However, the Abnegation faction are not allowed to be self indulgent and they aren't supposed to look in mirrors etc. however, for the most part of the film the members of the faction have perfect make-up on which annoyed me a little.
As far as I'm aware, this is Veronica Roth's first novel and she was fairly young at time of publication. Those things considered, I believe it's a very accomplished piece of work, with an eloquent, easy to follow writing style. She can engage an audience during the most soppy of love scenes all the way through to the most thrilling of action sequences and training montages. However, I felt the plot line towards the end felt really rushed and the villains became a little over the top for my liking, but for the most part I really enjoyed the storyline. And you will too if you are a fan of YA dystopian fiction and a good love story.
Let me know what you thought of either of these versions,
Caitlin A
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