(Yeah, I probably should’ve posted this back in November. Oh well. 🙃)
Likes
- The film adaptation of the story
So contrary to many book fans opinions, I was really impressed by how they managed to condense this story into 2 and half hours. 🤯 And they still managed to get the main theme of the plot across. For that alone I applaud the screenwriting team for their accomplishment. 👏🏼 - Lucky Flickerman
Jason Schwartzman’s humor was just on point! 🤣🤣🤣 He totally brought this Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka element to Flickerman’s character that lightened the mood at all the right points in the film. Easily making him my favorite character in the film adaptation. 😅 - Lucy Grey is less ditsy
If you were following along with my book analysis last summer, then you already know my thoughts on her character in general. But I thought Rachel Zegler’s performance helped take the mystery out of Lucy Gray’s persona. In the film, it was much more apparent how much of a performer she really is, even beyond the stage. - Sejanus is more palatable
Yes, the martyr complex was still there, but he came off more honorable and pitiable in the film for me. - Not being in Snow’s head
This was my biggest selling point for the film. In fact, it’s part of the reason why I dare to say I liked the film slightly more than the book. I loved how less self absorbed Snow came off on the screen while still maintaining his cleverness and ambition for success. As an example, I genuinely believed that Snow regretted betraying Sejanus and that he cared for Lucy Gray. But I never got that impression in the book. (Check out my book analysis for more details. 😅) - The theme of the book is still heavy conveyed, despite lack of book details
Why I’m highlighting this point in particular is because I feel like a lot of book fans get hung up on the fact that the movie didn’t have key details that made an impression on them during their read through. As a personal example, I REALLY wanted to see the jaw dropping displays of the funerals in the Capitol. Why you may ask? Well, I really thought those scenes were needed to convey Collins’ point. And yet I was wrong, it didn’t.
When I went to see Ballad in theaters opening weekend, I took a friend who had no point of reference for the story of Ballad at all. I gave her a brief explanation of what to expect and that was it. And guess what? She not only liked the film, but understood the theme too. So to be fair to the film, or any book to film adaptation, lack of details doesn’t necessarily mean that the film has missed conveying the theme of the plot.
And to be honest, I walk away from the film with the same feeling of conviction that I do from the book. It’s just a little less intense. 😅 - Snow and Lucy Gray’s falling out
The mystery behind the guns under the floorboards aside, I saw Snow in a whole different light in the film here. Take from this what you will, but based on the sequence of actions, I genuinely thought Snow had changed his mind, was going to “bury the hachet” in the lake and then run off with Lucy Gray. Until he notices she’s not digging up katniss roots. Then he looks for her, reaches his mother’s scarf, concealing the snake waiting to strike and then he’s bitten. His world crumbles. Snow in some sense really did give up everything for her, and she returns this by betraying and abandoning him. Oh how did I word before… That the one person who still believed there was anything good or special in him had just given up on him. And then he snaps. A little more sympathetic towards Snow, than perhaps in the book.
Dislikes
- Dr. Gaul’s portrayal
I don’t think this was so much Viola Davis’ fault, as it was the editing of the story to fit the film length. Speaking of details left out, there were several key lines that Dr. Gaul has in the book that never made it to the film. And as such I felt like the film performance of Dr. Gaul made her seem like she had one screw loose, as opposed to being a domineering person worthy of Snow’s admiration. I felt like her obsession and constant possession of the Hunger Games diminished how calculating she really is, and how much power and influence she held over the whole of Panem. Dare I say even more than the President. - Lack of key lines from multiple characters that spoke so much to Collins’ theme
Dr. Gaul was not the only character’s lines who made it to the chopping block. I really missed Dean Highbottom’s thought provoking lines too! While I appreciate how they reinvented his character for the film, I did miss his subtle words of wisdom that made him my favorite character in the book. - The retro future design
😅😅😅 I appreciate the in depth, postwar thought that went into this, I really do… But for the sake of world consistency, just no. 🤦🏻♀️ Multistory coal refining factories don’t just disappear in 60 years. I don’t care how much Snow hates District 12 and if he for some reason spent money to change there entire landscape of it, Georgia is not Germany. Period.
Same thing with the costumes, I never envisioned 1940’s inspired attire. The team did a great job with the prompt, but I’m just not a fan of the prompt. 😅😆
Anyway, those are my thoughts. I’ll be back next month with some more about Ballad the book, and maybe some other fun stuff. ☺️ Until next time.
