Divergent

In this adaptation of Veronica Roth’s dystopian novel, Shailene Woodley plays Tris, a teenager who has to declare to Mr. Vernon whether she is a Brain, an Athlete, a Basket Case... No, sorry, she has to declare herself a Ravenclaw, a Hufflepuff... No, she has to fight other teenagers from competing Districts... No.

Let’s keep it simple: a young woman defies the ruling powers by subverting a category-driven societal structure. She also falls for a moody boy (Theo James), raising the question: if a female protagonist saves the world in a post-apocalyptic setting but a cute guy isn’t there to see it, did it really happen?

Despite Divergent’s adherence to Young Adult formula, it has a few things in its favour. It at least provides young girls with a more empowering alternative to Twilight. A young woman trying to survive isolation, peer pressure and the physical and mental trials of her army-like clan, Woodley brings sensitivity and nuance to her role. Forced to face her innermost fears in a simulated trial, she is confronted with the image of her boyfriend trying to rape her. Though brief and not too graphic, it’s a rare depiction of the real fears that are part of the female experience.

Director Neil Burger (The Illusionist, Limitless) cleverly focuses on Tris’ internal struggle through violent battles, betrayed friendships and a burgeoning romance, while a prettily fractured Chicago provides nice set-pieces, from rocketing elevated trains to abandoned Ferris wheels. While his action sequences are too sanitised, the soundtrack too Ellie Goulding-laden and the run-time too long, it’s a watchable vehicle for the talented Woodley.