Divergent
Director: Neil Burger
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet
In a world where individuality is forbidden and peace is maintained by dividing the people into factions based on virtues and rules, a young woman named Tris (Shailene Woodley) must embark on a life-changing journey of transformation when she discovers that she carries a dangerous secret that could destroy her world forever.
The connection shared between Tris and her mentor, Four (Theo James), is one of the strongest aspects of the film. In a way, they are opposite sides of the same coin: they are both free souls brought together in a world where freedom is not tolerated. They are Divergent.
Tattoos play a strong symbolic role in the relationship between Tris and Four. When Tris and Four are in Four’s fear landscape, one fear that is manifested is Four’s fear of killing an innocent. Although the woman that Four kills in the simulation is not Tris, she is a reflection of Tris because she has the same raven tattoo that Tris does. When Tris comes to rescue Four after he is captured by the enemy, his mind is imprisoned in a simulation and he does not recognize her. It is only after Tris is willing to sacrifice her own life by pointing the gun at herself after he attacks her that she is able to break through the shackles that are holding Four captive allowing him to recognize her for who she truly is.
The significance of Four’s tattoo – the symbols of all five of the factions - comes from the common bond that he shares with Tris: they knowledge that they are both free souls brought together in a world where being a unique individual is forbidden. In the beginning, Tris is told that she is Divergent and that she must keep this knowledge a secret because revealing her true nature would ultimately lead to her death. As the bond between Tris and Four grows deeper, he allows her to break the impenetrable walls around his heart when he reveals to her that he, too, is Divergent and like her, he desires to be something more than what society expects him to be.
“Divergent” is fun, post-apocalyptic adventure film which the audience will either enjoy or choose not to acknowledge. The casting is exceptional and the story, while certainly not the first of its kind, is still creatively portrayed with a comfortable mixture of suspense and poignant emotion that allows the audience to appreciate what the characters are going through without being overwhelmed by it. Overall, this film is one that is worthy of your time.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Neil Burger
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet
In a world where individuality is forbidden and peace is maintained by dividing the people into factions based on virtues and rules, a young woman named Tris (Shailene Woodley) must embark on a life-changing journey of transformation when she discovers that she carries a dangerous secret that could destroy her world forever.
The connection shared between Tris and her mentor, Four (Theo James), is one of the strongest aspects of the film. In a way, they are opposite sides of the same coin: they are both free souls brought together in a world where freedom is not tolerated. They are Divergent.
Tattoos play a strong symbolic role in the relationship between Tris and Four. When Tris and Four are in Four’s fear landscape, one fear that is manifested is Four’s fear of killing an innocent. Although the woman that Four kills in the simulation is not Tris, she is a reflection of Tris because she has the same raven tattoo that Tris does. When Tris comes to rescue Four after he is captured by the enemy, his mind is imprisoned in a simulation and he does not recognize her. It is only after Tris is willing to sacrifice her own life by pointing the gun at herself after he attacks her that she is able to break through the shackles that are holding Four captive allowing him to recognize her for who she truly is.
The significance of Four’s tattoo – the symbols of all five of the factions - comes from the common bond that he shares with Tris: they knowledge that they are both free souls brought together in a world where being a unique individual is forbidden. In the beginning, Tris is told that she is Divergent and that she must keep this knowledge a secret because revealing her true nature would ultimately lead to her death. As the bond between Tris and Four grows deeper, he allows her to break the impenetrable walls around his heart when he reveals to her that he, too, is Divergent and like her, he desires to be something more than what society expects him to be.
“Divergent” is fun, post-apocalyptic adventure film which the audience will either enjoy or choose not to acknowledge. The casting is exceptional and the story, while certainly not the first of its kind, is still creatively portrayed with a comfortable mixture of suspense and poignant emotion that allows the audience to appreciate what the characters are going through without being overwhelmed by it. Overall, this film is one that is worthy of your time.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.