Adapting a novel into a two-hour film presents challenges for directors and playwrights. They must determine what to prioritize, exclude, and emphasize in terms of elements and themes. It is highly improbable to create a movie that perfectly replicates the book it derives from. Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games follows this pattern by taking us on an imaginative journey that immerses us in the chaos of “the games”.
Shaping the storyline and capturing the audience’s attention is the director’s prerogative. For Gary Ross, this was made easier with The Hunger Games’ captivating storyline. We were completely engrossed by a brave heroine who would do anything to save herself, particularly with a love story intertwined. While the main plot of the book remained unchanged in its transition to film, there were some alterations. A notable difference was that Madge, the mayor’s daughter, was absent in the adaptation.
Even though Madge is not a main character, she plays an important role in emphasizing the class divisions in district 12 by giving Katniss the mockingjay pin. However, in the movie adaptation, Katniss discovers the pin at the Hob instead. While Madge may not be crucial for this aspect of the narrative, it is uncertain how her absence will be addressed by the director in future books. Furthermore, it’s important to mention that the story is not told from Katniss’ point of view.
In the film, instead of having a continuous voice over, director Ross chose to use other characters like Caesar Flickerman and the announcer to narrate the events of the games. The film also incorporates scenes from Katniss’ perspective to visually depict what she sees. Despite these differences, both the film and book successfully convey the essence of Katniss and Peeta’s intense and passionate love. In my initial response paper, I examined the character of Primrose Everdeen in the text.
Despite Prim appearing to be a very young, sweet, and calm child in the text, the opening scene in district 12 presents us with the high pitched scream of this young girl. In my personal opinion, Willow Shields, who plays Prim, appeared too old for her role. Prim is meant to be just twelve years old, and despite being dressed modestly, she looked older and as if she had experienced more than she should have. Despite Prim’s supposed carefree and gentle nature, there was something in her face that made her appear older.
In the film, Katniss affectionately refers to her younger sister as a “little duck” due to the constant issue of her blouse coming untucked from her skirt. This reminded me that Prim is still a young child. Although Prim has limited screen time, she appears during the reaping, in the room for goodbyes, and at the very end. Shields skillfully portrays Prim’s character as a scared twelve-year-old. I believe that the book’s depiction of Prim made me perceive her as less aware of the real world and more like a nine or ten-year-old, despite knowing her actual age.
My response paper focused on the theme of hidden rebellion, which was also evident in the film adaptation of the text. In the beginning, Gale openly rebels by discussing his plan with Katniss to run away and unite the districts against the Capitol. However, rebellion becomes more subtle during the reaping. The crowd shows their respect for Katniss, and Haymitch clumsily falls off the stage. I believe this was a deliberate move to distract President Snow’s attention from the scent of rebellion.
Cinna embodies concealed rebelliousness by wearing modest attire, minimizing makeup, crafting the iconic “girl on fire” look, and concealing the mockingjay pin under Katniss’ jacket as she enters the arena. While Katniss is in the arena, her thoughts are absent unlike in the book; nevertheless, we can perceive her actions and observations. For instance, she frequently flashes a brief smile, subtly nods, or shoots a knowing glance towards a concealed camera.
President Snow is becoming aware of Katniss’ schemes and true nature, despite her unawareness of it. The conversation between President Snow and Seneca is enough to instill fear of rebellion. While many themes may be lost in the adaptation of a novel into a film, the theme of hidden rebellion is prominently displayed in this movie. Director Gary Ross successfully captures the essence of the world of Panem in his exquisite vision for the film.
The Seem and the town of District 12 effectively portray the somber atmosphere of the district through their grey scale coloring. Throughout their stay in District 12, the skies remain in shades of grey, the background has a blue tinge, and the residents appear unhappy. In contrast, the Capitol features vibrant and lively colors, showcasing cheerful expressions, beautiful costumes, and captivating designs. By observing the mise-en-scene, one can easily discern the emotions of the characters, sense the atmosphere of the locations, and grasp the living conditions without needing any verbal explanation.
The actors selected for these roles accurately portrayed the personalities described in the book. In District 12, costumes were used to differentiate between those belonging to the Seam and the merchant class. However, the extravagant costumes in the Capitol did not serve this purpose, merely indicating that these individuals were from the Capitol. The editing of the shots effectively blended an outsider’s perspective with scenes from Katniss’ point of view. Despite not hearing Katniss’ thoughts, her observations of the arena during tragic events such as the tracker jackers provided valuable insight.
When I read a book, I am usually hesitant to watch the film adaptation because I worry it may not meet my expectations. This often results in disappointment since reading allows me to envision the new world in my own unique manner. Although The Hunger Games was a commendable adaptation, there were certain aspects that could have been changed to better align with Suzanne Collins’ original story. However, if I had the opportunity to direct the film myself, I think it could be done flawlessly – although we all recognize this is an unrealistic expectation.
