I held off watching Divergent because I thought it would be another suckfest like Twilight. It turns out I was sort of wrong, but something surprised me. It actually kept my attention.
So, for those of you who do not know the story, it takes place in a futuristic Chicago, after a long and destructive war. To keep the peace, mankind now lives in factions based on their talents to form a new society. They are: Erudites-dressed in blue. These are the intellectuals, scientists, etc. Candor-dressed in white. They speak the truth to the point of rudeness. These are the judges. Dauntless-dressed in black. These are the most fearless. They are the police and soldiers. Amity-dressed in tan, these people are harmonious. They are the farmers. Abnegation-dressed in gray. They are selfless and serving. These are the leaders and public servants. Our main character Beatrice (Shaileen Woodley) is the daughter of two prominent Abegnations. She always felt out of place in her caste, preferring the Dauntless and their carefree life. When children turn a certain age, they are tested to see which faction they fit in, which will be their family for the rest of their lives. Faction over blood they call it. There is no intermixing. Despite whatever the test says, the person can choose their faction if they want, and the choice is for life. Thus, the movie breaks its own rules. If you leave a faction, you become factionless, essentially the homeless and dregs of society. When Beatrice takes her test, she is a Divergent, one that doesn't fit into any faction. This is a dangerous thing apparently, and she is told not to reveal it to anyone. She chooses to become a Dauntless and meets her future love interest Four. While she fights for her place in Dauntless, she finds out some dark secrets of which she may be in the center.
Okay, that sets it up. I don't want to say much more to avoid spoilers. So, this movie was an enigma to me. I thought it was written by Stephanie Meyers (Twilight), but quickly realized the story is more complex than that, but not by much. To be fair, it kept my attention, and it is pretty good. I actually enjoyed it. But that said, it is another movie trying to be more profound than it actually is. It does have something to say, just not very well. Again, to be fair, this was a story for younger readers and intended to start discussions. Many women I know really seem to like this film and it's easy to see why. Like the recent crop of stories to come out like The Hunger a Games, the female protagonist is strong and resourceful. Why it seems only young people's stories where this is the case is beyond me. The funny thing is, sci-fi and fantasy seem to be the only places where this is most acceptable. I'm not saying there aren't great movies out there with strong women in other genres, but it seems to be in these two particular genres where it is prominent. A quick test. Which of these characters do not belong: Ellen Ripley, Sarah Conner, Janeway, Leia Organa, Galadrial, Natasha Romanov, Katniss Everdeen, Thelma And Louise? Why is it that it is so inconceivable for women to be tough and in charge except in very fictional universes? A commentary on our societal attitudes? Probably.
But back to Divergent. While Shaileen Woodley is certainly attractive, she is downright homely compared to just about the entire cast in the flick, who all appear to have walked out of an Abercrombie ad. Everyone else is movie star gorgeous except for the main character. Again, a way to get young women to identify because of this dichotomy of looks? Beatrice (or Tris, as she later calls herself), gets more glamorous as she comes into her own and understands herself. Beauty is a metaphor for strength and something to be aspired to by scaling impossible heights. If you don't, you're ugly and worthless like the factionless, which is the only caste in this entire film who are deserving of nothing but scorn from all factions. Another issue I have with the film is its overly simplistic worldview. That is: most people are easily categorized and put into a box. While the movie is obviously taking the position this is not desirable, it fashions a society built on this premise. Setting up castes that cannot be broken to control them. It argues tribal rules workas a basis for society, which is apparent to anyone who follows the Middle East. Sarcasm aside, while the movie says this is not an ideal set of affairs, it argues that it works. Not something I necessarily agree with.
Two other issues I have with the film. While it glamorizes the life in Dauntless at first, we see that it is essentially a prison-like environment where bullies rule and the weak are cut down. These are supposed to be the guardians of society by giving themselves without question? This is obviously a commentary on the military and police, that they are mindless automatons who never question authority and are thugs to be pointed in a direction to kill. I found it a little distasteful, insensitive, and ultimately childish and naïve. Finally, it portrays Erudites, the smart people as being cruel and conniving. What is the deal with the vilification of smart people and a celebration of ignorance and stupidity as if it were some great ideal to aspire to? I've never understood it.
To sum up, it is a good movie, especially to watch with older kids to discuss the fundamentals of human nature. Not much really happens, so it looks like it was angling for a sequel. It is not great, though.
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