“Divergent” is finally here. Lisa gives her take on the film , the actors and more.
“DIVERGENT”
SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 143 minutes
Starring SHAILENE WOODLEY, THEO JAMES, JAI CORTNEY, RAY STEVENSON, ZOË KRAVITZ, MILES TELLER, MAGGIE Q, TONY GOLDWYN, ASHLEY JUDD, ANSEL ELGORT, MEKHI PHIFER, BEN LAMB, BEN LLOYD-HUGHES, CHRISTIAN MADSEN, AMY NEWBOLD and KATE WINSLET
Directed by NEIL BURGER
Screenplay by EVAN DAUGHERTY AND VANESSA TAYLOR
Based on the novel by VERONICA ROTH
Produced by DOUGLAS WICK, LUCY FISHER, POUYA SHAHBAZIAN
Executive Produced by JOHN J. KELLY, RACHEL SHANE
Studio Synopsis:
DIVERGENT is a thrilling action-adventure film set in a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy by a faction leader (Kate Winslet)to destroy all Divergents, Tris must learn to trust in the mysterious Four (Theo James) and together they must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it’s too late. Based on the best-selling book series by Veronica Roth.
Lisa’s Take:
I really wanted to like “Divergent,” because I’m a big fan of futuristic dystopias like “The Hunger Games” or “Elysium.” I had not read the book (a YA novel with a huge following written by a young adult author), but I was intrigued by the plot. Who doesn’t want to see a shy girl join kick-ass rebels, endure hours of grueling training in tight-fitting costumes and eventually be rewarded with a handsome, stoic love interest? It’s a young (or old) girl’s dream.
I was expecting something like “The Hunger Games,” but was severely disappointed. The movie has a weak plot and simple dialogue. “Divergent” takes place in post-apocalyptic Chicago, where individuals are free to choose their faction from five groups – but only once – at age 16. Eventually, trouble brews in this idealistic system, but that takes too long, and the plot is boring and predictable.
I’ll overlook that point for the moment and say that the two lead actors were excellent. Shailene Woodley (as Tris) was mesmerizing and everything about her character rang true. She’s scared but determined to succeed in her newly chosen Dauntless faction, and her acting shows depth and freshness. Same goes for Theo James (as Four), who plays it tough and coolly distant at first, but then comes around in a believable way to become her strongest ally.
These characters are facing life-threatening dangers. They train rigorously in a kind of competitive, dark, underworld military prison-type atmosphere, with lots of scary physical challenges that will get your adrenaline going. As the two main characters get closer, their relationship becomes mature and compelling. But that’s due to their acting ability, certainly not because of the script. After they share their first kiss, Tris says, “I want to take it slow,” and the audience groans. Please. The line sounds like somebody’s parent insisted on including it to discourage teenage sex.
Most of what is stupid in this movie I have to blame on the script. Even though Kate Winslet is a wonderful actress and gets to play her first “baddie,” in this movie she is bland with a vague motive. She’s not very scary at all. And, when it becomes clear that an uprising is in the works, Ashley Judd busts out a very unlikely and unbelievable side to her that made me (inappropriately) laugh out loud.
“Divergent” is the first of a trilogy. This first installment has a straightforward plot with few twists to make it very interesting, but if you’re just looking for a bit of action and teenage angst, it might be entertaining enough. The next installment, “Insurgent,” might be a bit better. It is scheduled for release in 2015, with a different director and different writers, including award-winning Akiva Goldsman (“I Am Legend” and “A Beautiful Mind”).