Photo Credit: HungerGames.com
After watching Hunger Games on an IMAX screen last night, I must admit. I love the movies. Nothing like seeing an amazing story come to life on the big screen. And for once, a book translated into the movie did not disappoint. From the dingy details of District Twelve to the neon colors bouncing off the cinema walls when Peeta and Katniss arrive in the Capitol. From the green hues of Gale and Katniss’ beloved forest to the dome of the hunger games. The setting came alive. Just as I had imagined it.
The characters were cast near perfectly. I did imagine Haymitch a little chunkier, but Woody Harrelson’s acted brilliantly. He might be my favorite after last night.
Peeta was as blonde and boyish as I pictured in the book and Gale as hunky and outdoorsy. I loved Lenny Kravitz as Cinna. And Rue…so beautiful and precious. She was exactly how my mind had painted her. What is all this ridiculous nonsense over Rue anyway? I skimmed a few tweets on the whole Rue controversy and almost vomited on my keyboard. This is the year 2012. Are we even having this conversation? Unfortunately, yes.
Anyway, I thought the cameramen shot the scenes really well, and I’m no expert. But I loved how the scene would move from sky to Katniss’ feet walking over branches, to her face, to her running through the forest. And the back and forth between Peeta and Katniss in the cave…so tender and… torturous. For a woman who is clearly Team Gale. Why did she have to kiss him?!?!
I know. To appear in love. To win the hearts of sponsors. To save her life. I read the books. But I still hated it.
Don’t get me wrong. I think the series as a whole makes a fairly original and superbly told story. One that addresses the very poignant issue of world hunger packaged in an imaginary tale that is not so unreal when you sit back and think about it. Our world is not so different. A few capitals or countries really do control the wealth and food supply in the world. Poverty is relevant and present but hidden from the daily eyes of most rich folks. You have to look for it. Want to see it. And then not just cry about it. But know you’re supposed to do something about it.
But I didn’t plan on writing a political piece today.
I really want to talk about the love story. And to all my teen fiction lovers out there, this might come across as arrogant or annoying, but nothing like a little controversy to give the middle of the week some spice and salsa.
I hate the triangle. The love triangle. There. I said it. Don’t misunderstand me. I love love love a good love story. I’m a die-hard romantic. I love the pursuit. I love the capture. And I so love the feeding the fire.
But the love triangle. I truly believe that [and here is where I risk sounding old fashioned or judgmental or just plain out of my mind]… but I really think the love triangle is a sugar-coated affair packaged so well that readers or viewers blindly attach the word love to it. It should really be called an affair-triangle.
And no. I don’t live in a bubble. I get the fact that people are attracted to different people. Even when you’re in love, you can be attracted to the deli-guy who serves you your cold cuts with a smile. But the whole crossing the line to the kiss gets me every time. Some say, “It’s just a kiss…” but those are the same folks who say, “Look, don’t touch…” I think that’s a mess in the making too.
I know what it’s like to crush on two different guys. Heck, try five. And even as a married woman of fourteen years, doesn’t mean that I’ve never been distracted by this or that man that crosses my path. But I hate the fatalistic approach to romance. The “I just couldn’t help myself” moments that turn into scars that pulse deeper when you’re not feeling that intimacy with your partner.
So you say, they’re not married. Who cares? She’s just young, trying to figure out the falling in love thing. Trying to figure out who she’s most compatible with. Like the whole Bella, Edward, Jacob thing.
I still hate it. I feel like [and again, I risk sounding super-sized in my view of fairy tale love] the triangle in so many romantic comedies, romances, and teen fiction alike, just feeds our adulterous culture that glorifies the forbidden and provides subtle permission to test the waters. Even if the waters have a different name than the guy you’re dating, the one you’re engaged to, or even the spouse you’re married to.
And don’t even get me started about the “rectangle” of swinging.
So there you have it. My love-hate relationship with Hunger Games. And my choice to hold strong to the possibility of a flourishing, ravishing, phenomenal, love story existing between just one man and one woman. Without a third party or an alternative choice or a flirt factor on the sidelines to fan the flames.
In the end, I hold strong to my belief that you can’t always control who you fall in love with. But you do choose, daily, who you will love. Love is hard work. Love is daily action. Love is constant forgiving and trusting and giving. The butterflies and hormones are nice. Sweet. Fun. But they change. Come and go. We change.
So what remains? What stays? What never changes?
The existence of love.
And the Creator of Love.
That’s why my favorite Disney movie has always been Beauty and the Beast… Because the theme song sums up this love that I am so thankful for:
“Ever just the same. Ever a surprise.”
Go ahead. Make fun of me. Give it your best shot. And while you’re at it, you can tell me if you’re Team Peeta or Team Gale, and we can still be friends. Right?!? 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by Gina! What a great conversation that must have been with you son! I agree. They did a really good job going from book to movie. HG reminded me of Lord of the Flies taken to an much bloodier level! With girls. In some ways…
Interesting take. I’m more struck by the morality and how it pertains to American culture and myself. The movie got a good discussion going with my son of what he would do in the same situation and that was priceless. I thought they did a fair job of it.