By Betsy Pray
Staff Writer
Which faction will you choose?
This is the concept behind the new action fantasy film “Divergent,” The film is based on the first novel in the best-selling book series by Veronica Roth. Starring Shailene Woodley (“The Secret Life of the American Teenager,”) Theo James (“Underworld: Awakening,”) and Kate Winslet, (“Titanic.”) the movie tells the story of Beatrice “Tris” Prior (Shailene Woodley,) a teenager living in a future dystopian Chicago.
The city is divided into five different factions, each based on a virtue: Erudite being intelligence, Amity being peace, Dauntless being bravery, Abnegation being selflessness and Candor being honesty.
Every year, all the sixteen-year-olds in each faction must choose which faction they want to live in for the rest of their lives, having the option to either choose a new one or remain in their native one. In order to determine their best-suited faction, a test is administered consisting of problem-solving simulations tracking the action of the recipient.
However, when Tris, an Abnegation native, receives mixed results, she is informed she is a “divergent,” meaning she doesn’t belong to a particular faction. This proves to be troublesome, as divergents are seen to be disruptive to the flow of civilization and usually marked for death. Tris must balance masking her true identity and her presumed faction choice – Dauntless. This is further complicated when she and her love interest Four (Theo James) uncover a plot by Erudite’s ruthless leader, Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet) to take complete control of the factions.
The movie was ideally cast. Shailene Woodley thrives both physically and emotionally in her role as Tris, a nice departure from her previous roles as a young mother in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and a troubled teenager in “The Descendents.” Theo James delivers a convincing performance as Four, working well against Woodley. Kate Winslet embodies the character of Jeanine Matthew well, leaving you guessing about what her character is plotting next.
There have been comparisons between “Divergent” and “The Hunger Games,” with some noting their similarities. Both series employ a female lead and take place in a dystopian world, although, “The Hunger Games” is set in the fictional nation of Panem and “Divergent” portrays an interpretation of future Chicago.
Another apparent similarity is the idea of factions resembling “The Hunger Game’s” concept of divided districts. However, unlike “The Hunger Games,” which explores themes such as tyranny and inequality, “Divergent” takes on a more personally relatable theme. It brings up the issue involving the pressure of choosing what you want to do with your life or letting your decisions be dictated by others. It also explores the scenario of having to leave your family and start life on your own, something everybody has to deal with at some point in his or her life.
According to a story from chicagoreader.com, Veronica Roth wrote and sold “Divergent” to a publisher when she was still a senior in college. Knowing that somebody that young can write a book that makes it to the big screen in just three years illustrates that you don’t have to be veteran writer to create a sensation.
“Divergent” is a must see because of the convincing performances by the cast and the interesting concepts it presents. Would it actually be possible to live in a society where you only focus on one virtue, a complete contrast from the society we’re living in right now?
Who knows? It is the future after all.
prayer10@bonaventure.edu
