Amanda’s Adaptations: Mockingjay – Book Vs Film

The third story in the Suzanne Collins-penned trilogy divided opinion. Mockingjay had an entirely different tone to the first two stories and spent a large portion of the book focusing on Katniss Everdeen’s mental breakdown. There was a new district, new faces and a very fragile Katniss – and no Peeta. For the film adaptation, the powers that be have opted to split this final book into two films and THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1 explores the first half of the novel.

When we left Katniss at the end of Catching Fire, she had just made it out of her second games in two years only to learn that Peeta had been captured, District 12 – her home – had been destroyed and a rebellion had begun.

Mockingjay picks up with Katniss in a state of mental confusion. She has been so heavily sedated to deal with her breakdown that she struggles to tell the difference between nightmare and reality. The leaders in District 13 are having a hard time getting her on board as the symbolic image of the rebels’ fight and she can barely construct a coherent thought in her head. As she starts to get a grip on reality, the gravity of her absence finally seems to dawn on her and she realises the power she could have in helping the rebels with their cause.

Of course, one of the reasons readers took to Katniss in the first place is that she never was a hero. She just wanted to protect her sister.

Reluctant to be yet another pawn in somebody else’s game, Katniss doesn’t immediately take to President Coin, the leader of District 13. Propoganda films, showing the citizens of Panem and President Snow that Katniss and the rebels are all still fighting, are sure to help the cause but Katniss feels the weight of her burden all too much and those around her start to wonder if too much damage been done already for her to ever come back from it.

Where many authors would have picked up this third installment in the trilogy with action and fighting, Suzanne Collins bravely acknowledges the person behind all the action – Katniss Everdeen – and allows her time out of battle to try and deal with what has happened to her. She is filled in on all that she missed while in the arena the second time round and often has relapses into a state of severe agitation and confusion. She is a fighter – there is no question – but in allowing this vulnerability and weakness to shine through, Collins allows the reader time to really embrace Katniss and will her onwards.

For the film, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is not allowed quite so much time to wallow in her confused and agitated state which is a real shame, though perhaps this is to keep those who were not a fan of the novel on side. She remains immensely conflicted and cannot perform her duties quite like the people of District 13 may want, but she seems to function surprisingly well given all that has happened to her.

There is also far less of a presence too from Katniss’s late father, something that fills the pages of the book with references dotted about here and there. She puts on the jacket and she sings the song but there is no mention of it having been her father’s jacket, or that he was the one who taught her the song. These are small touches, granted, but their inclusion really would have enhanced her story just that little bit more. As it is, Lawrence’s rendition of The Hanging Tree is haunting – even without the emotional backstory to the song – and stays with you long after the credits roll.

With her sister and mother safe, and Gale (Liam Hemsworth) by her side, there is a visible amount of courage seen in Katniss. However, the curtain is pulled down whenever Peeta is used to scare her – and with the sporadic interviews with Peeta being beamed into the districts, it’s not all that surprising that Katniss is feeling the pressure.

THE HUNGER GAMES films have more than proved that great adaptations and great franchises can exist without lessening the original stories or failing to live up to what has come previously. These films have managed a consistency throughout that is so rarely seen. They build on the earlier stories, respect the source text and have one of the most impressive ensemble casts ever seen on screen, with Lawrence and co proving their worth time and time again.

Donald Sutherland continues to be quietly menacing as President Snow; the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman returns as the voice in President Coin’s ear, Plutarch Heavensbee; Sam Claflin conveys so much anguish with such little screen time. Elizabeth Banks has clearly proven so popular in the first two films that they have brought Effie Trinket back, though she is nowhere to be found in the novel.

The real strength of this third film is the massive scope it brings. We have seen glimpses of the districts in the first two but in THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1 we see it all. Suddenly, this is no longer just about Katniss and Peeta. It’s about every single person in Panem.

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1 begins the gripping and action-packed conclusion to THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy with superb form and is fraught with emotion and drama at every stage.

Of course, the film is just the beginning. The end won’t be with us until 2015 – and the odds are not in our favour that it’ll be an easy wait until then.

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