Divergent

I went to see Divergent knowing very little about it other than it shared certain similarities with The Hunger Games; based on a trilogy of young adult fiction which has already been completed and published, featuring a strong female lead, in this case 'The Descendents' star, Shailene Woodley battling a dystopian future.  The plot was a mystery to me, but not for long as the film started with a brief description of the faction system segregating society and the imminent decision that our leading lady, Beatrice was due to face at the choosing ceremony.  As she narrates the opening we gain an immediate insight into her complex situation and her unsettled state of mind as she must determine whether she loses her family or her secret aspirations; if they choose a different faction to their family they can no longer see them.  Her troubles are increased when she undergoes a kind of aptitude test that monitors her mind, indicating which faction she would best suit; her test result gives multiple factions, meaning she is Divergent.  From this moment on we know what the title of the film is referring to and that our Beatrice is in danger from the government who fear the disorder and independence of Divergents.

The five factions of society are; the honest "Candour," intelligent "Erudite," peaceful "Amity," fearless "Dauntless," and finally the selfless are "Abnegation, which is the category that Beatrice was born into.  This dystopian world lives off fear of the past and the control of the faction system which is very similar to Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. Each division of society has a very distinct job that contributes to this strange walled city, however when the jealous Erudite decide they want to steal the role of governing body from Abnegation they themselves are actually breaking this strict obligation to stay within their confines and they further this by employing the law enforcing Dauntless to becomes drones in their war.  So while they may fear the disruption of Divergents, their actions are actually more likely to have an impact on the regulated system and cause people to question how practical it really is.

Woodley with her pretty elfin features delivers a fantastic performance as the brave and conflicted heroin.  However I think the screenplay falls short at times as it is slightly lacking in character development; the poor girl hardly seemed to know the family she loved so much;  so certain that her brother was abnegation and then the slightly predictable twist that she only really understands her parents minutes before they are killed.  Also her relationship with the character Four is a little odd, after their first kiss she warns him that she wants to take it slow, this is followed by a vision of her inner fears one of which that Four will try to force himself on her.  I'm not sure what kind of message that is meant to be sending the viewer and particularly a young audience; it may be that Veronica Roth is following in the steps of pro-abstinence Twilight author Stephenie Meyer.

While it may have the odd discrepancies in character and plot, it is still a gripping story and I look forward to seeing the rest of the trilogy; if only so I can have a few questions answered.  You were left speculating; why and how these factions were ever constructed and conceived as a good idea? where is the factory working faction...who makes all the clothes and electrical products? Which faction is responsible for construction or hospitality?

Rating: 6.8/10