"The Hunger Games" and the Knot in My Stomach

I read all three books of the trilogy by Suzanne Collins last summer over the course of two weeks. I was horrified by the idea of a nationally televised forced death match between children. I finished the first book and drove out to buy the second one the same evening. There had to be a resolution to this story — something that would right all the wrongs inflicted by the Capitol and its citizens. 

I had trouble falling asleep while images conjured by the evocative writing of Ms. Collins played ceaselessly in my head. I was not surprised at the end of the trilogy to discover that the resolution of that post-America society had come at a high cost. There are lessons to be learned in this trilogy – and I think it’s appropriate as Young Adult fiction. Those teens who view World War II as too long past to be relevant, can hear a similar story of corruption and power and hopelessness in this fictionalized setting and it will resound with them perhaps in a new way. 

So, it was with some anticipation that I went out on opening weekend to watch the movie version of “The Hunger Games."

I read reviews online and checked social media status updates. There was a frenzy regarding this movie quite reminiscent of the "Twilight" series. I believe it’s won the box office every week since the release. But now the knot in my stomach is for an entirely different reason.

The screenplay stayed close to the book in terms of the plot. I thought Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal of Katniss was vibrant – alive. Yet other characters felt one dimensional. Peeta had none of the resolve and strength of character that was clearly defined in the book. Did you have that project with your kids where they had to create a “Flat Stanley” and send him out to family members and friends to be immortalized in pictures? This screenplay had more than a few “Flat Stanley” characters. The dialogue was there – re-created from the book – but the emotions were lost in translation.

The biggest disappointment for me, however, was that the tone of the trilogy – the hopelessness – the corruption and brutality was so adulterated in the movie version to have been lost almost entirely. In the original story, citizens in the outer districts starve to death every year – Katniss’ family is kept alive by her ability to hunt and trade. The televised game is shown in every public square and in school. And yet, the citizens watch it as well in their homes – unable or unwilling to turn away – and they become culpable in some small part. 

When the tributes reach the Capitol, they are under heavy guard and even not allowed to jump off the building and choose their own death. The citizens must be entertained at all costs. They dehumanize these children and the Capitol’s population is so desensitized to the horror of it, it becomes a game of betting and cheering for their favorites. Every single resident watching on TV or filling the arena to catch a glimpse of these children that will all be dead in a few days is responsible for the perpetuation of the horror. And THAT is what is (mostly) missing in the movie.

So, back to that knot in my stomach. There’s talk of a “Hunger Games” Barbie doll. Kids lined up to buy tickets to the premiere.  t occurs to me – are any of us better than that fictional Capitol and its citizens? When we are also immune to the horror of the idea of a society that forces children to kill one another every year, when we make a heroine out of the character just trying to stay alive, when we talk about “the good parts” amongst ourselves – well, it feels like I’ve heard it someplace before. And then I remember I read it in a very disturbing and riveting book – a book with the clear intention of teaching us all about the dangers of unbridled power and an unquenchable thirst for entertainment. That lesson evidently didn’t translate to the movie.