Katniss and Peeta’s relationship in the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s “The Hunger Games” – Media & Community (2024)

As one of the script writers in the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’sThe Hunger Games, it was imperative to build a believable relationship between Peeta and Katniss. The romantic relationship between Peeta and Katniss remains ambiguous at best in the novel, but I chose to purposefully have the pair fall in love throughout the movies. Therefore, the first movie was crucial is establishing the platform for a thriving and realistic romantic relationship.

The reason I chose to definethe ambiguousnature of Katniss and Peeta’s relationship throughoutthemovies is for the sake of consistency and clarity. In the novel, Peeta’s intentions, Katniss’s response, and their entire relationship hangs between reality and performance. Theidea of a star-crossed pair of lovers is more appealing to a wide audience, because it stands for the triumph of love over destruction. Ultimately, the viewing audience represents the members of the capitol: they are spectators. And what do spectators want? A tragic, yet beautiful,love story.

First of all, Peeta’s intentions are unclear in the novel. For example,when Katniss confronts Peeta about his televised love confession, Peeta admits,“It was my idea…Haymitch just helped me with it,”(Collins 130). This is problematic, because neither the reader nor the characters in the novels know whether or not Peeta cares for Katniss at all romantically.By professing his feelings on national television, Peeta, “changes Katniss from just another tribute to a girl holding on to the adoration of a sweet boy from District 12, who happens to be a fellow tribute,” (Narquez). Katniss is angry, both in the novel and the film adaption, because, “Peeta makes her look weak. Haymitch argues that Peeta makes her desirable. Both of these statements are correct and they are done without Katniss’s consent,” (Narquez). “If Katniss refuses the role of the ‘girl on fire’—the object of Peeta’s desire—she will be eliminated,” (Churchill).

This confession takesthe authority of the relationship away from Katniss and puts it into the hands of the onlooking audience. In a way, this is reminiscent of committing a speech act such as, “I now pronounce you man and wife.” While Peeta makes the statement, it is Caesar who seals the dealby actingas the ultimate authority andacknowledgingthis confession as a fact. “In making that statement, a person of authority changes the status of a couple within an intersubjective community; those words actively change the existence of that couple,” (Franco). Katniss is tied to Peeta, which makes him look manipulating since his motivations are unknown. Because thereare already so many despicable characters in theHunger Games,I chose to make Peeta seem genuine. He may be manipulating, but it comes from a source of true love – not just survival as in the case of the novel. We get a sense of Peeta’s true motivations through his actions. The way he looks at, caresses, and interacts with Katniss are all intentionally endearing. It is no longer a performance, and Katniss just has to make up her mind about whether or not she loves Peeta as well.

Additionally, the nature of film makes the inclusion of inner dialogue onscreen awkward to watch. It was impossible for me to include all of Katniss’s thoughts and recreate the inner conflict she held. In the book, we see the world through Katniss’s eyes and are acutely aware of the blurred lines between reality and performance when it comes to her love for Peeta. For example, Katniss states:

“I haven’t even begun to separate out my feelings about Peeta. It’s too complicated. What I did as part of the Games. As opposed to what I did out of anger at the Capitol. Or because of how it would be viewed back in District 12. Or simply because it was the only decent thing to do. Or what I did because I cared about him. These are questions to be unraveled back home, in the peace and quiet of the woods, when no one is watching,” (Collins 358).

For the sake of clarity, I had to cut out her monologues and simplify the love story. In an interview, Jennifer Lawrence, who portrayed Katniss in the film, explains thestory I was going after by stating,“Peeta represents the life that Katniss has sought through all of these movies, it’s just peace and a safe family,” (Reynolds). Peeta is destined to be the salvation, not the cause of suffering.

Churchill, Suzanne. “Gender Performativity in the Hunger Games.” Media & Community.6 Feb. 2017. Web.

Collins, Suzanne.The Hunger Games.New York: Scholastic Press. 2008. Print.

Felluga, Dino Franco.Introductory Guide to Critical Theory. Last update: 31 Jan. 2011. Web.

Marquez, Nalini. “Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark: A Realistic “Love Story”.”LetterPile. LetterPile, 15 Sept. 2016. Web.

Reynolds, Simon. “Jennifer Lawrence Reveals Why Katniss Chose Peeta over Gale in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.”Digital Spy. N.p., 20 Nov. 2015.