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The Hunger Games

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THE HUNGER GAMES US, 2012, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Directed by Gary Ross.

Experts (young, especially, and old) have offered reassurances that this film is a good adaptation of the first novel in her trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Given a box-office take of over 150 million dollars in five days in the US, the film is also critic-proof.

Nevertheless, all reviewers have added their two penneth worth.

Not knowing much about the novels or film except some of the hype, I was not necessarily looking forward with eager anticipation. After all, a film for young audiences about a group of youngsters involved in deadly games (literally) with only one survivor, didn’t sound the best.

However... it turns out to be an interesting and enjoyable film even for some oldies!

The popular description is still accurate but it reminds us that we shouldn’t listen too much to ‘what’ a film is about but ask ‘how’ it is dramatised.

This is a futuristic film, a dystopian society, a phrase that is getting more and more use as we see futuristic films, apocalyptic films where populations are kept under tyrannical control or the world is going to end. This film offers an ironic image of contemporary society. 74 years earlier uprisings were put down and, as punishment (and for authority’s control), each year a boy and a girl from the 12 districts are chosen by a lottery (‘a reaping’) as ‘tribute’ to be first feted (and sumptuously fed), then displayed in procession and interview on television for a population that relishes its privilege in bizarre clothes and make-up but mindlessly applauds the razzamatazz of the Hunger Games show. Of course, the Games are a deadly manifestation of Reality TV, though the organisers can intervene against the games for and against the contestants - which they do by advanced technology, even to creating virtual monsters.

So, Suzanne Collins has created a strange world that can draw in a young audience.

The film has a lot to show about society control. While the President, like Big Brother, is watching, so is the whole population, the frivolously cruel spectators watching futuristic gladiatorial combat to the death as well as the poorer inhabitants of West Virginia-like mining communities where the heroine comes from. The dialogue is well-written and does not rely on sloppy or lazy writing. And, Jennifer Lawrence (already an Oscar nominee in her teens for Winter’s Bone) is Katniss Everdene, a strong and intelligent heroine, resourceful, thoughtful and the opposite of some of the vicious and murderous contestants. Josh Hutcherson is effective as the partner from Katniss’ district. Gary Ross, who collaborated with the author and other writers for the screenplay, has directed the film effectively. His other films include Pleasantville (with its parody and irony on television worlds is linked thematically with The Hunger Games) and the more straightforward racing film, Seabiscuit.

The supporting cast is very interesting with Elizabeth Banks (donning the bizarre costumes) as the chaperone and Woody Harrelson as a sympathetic trainer/publicist. A blue-buffed hairdo distinguishes Stanley Tucci as the play-to-the- audience-jovial TV compere. Wes Bentley as the organiser of the games looks darkly satanic with devilishly trimmed beard. Donald Sutherland is the president, quietly and murderously controlling.

While this film can be seen as a stand-alone story, Donald Sutherland turns to go up a staircase at the end - obviously there must be more.

Peter Malone