The outlook was grim from the onset which is why it took me so long to finally get round to it. I knew Mocking Jay Part Deux would be a sombre affair for a number of reasons. The first of which being that it is the last film I will see Philip Seymour Hoffman in. That alone makes it a sad day in cinema.
The Hunger Games franchise already brought along its fair share of melancholy to the table. Dystopian nightmares in the form of totalitarian states and gladiatorial combat. Also the loss of likeable, key characters is always a bummer.
That said, here's to a strong, non-sappy, non-objectified, female hero. Still such a rarity in Hollywood. (Incidentally it was also great to see Julianne Moore getting in on the villain action.)
"....ever in your favour."
Jennifer Lawrence has not been flying the flag alone as there has been no shortage in other genres too. Film has been enjoying a recent influx of solid female leads across the board. My favourites this year?
1) Jenny Slate as Donna Stern in Obvious Child.
2) Ok, technically a documfilm but Iris Apfel in Iris is distilled chutzpah.
3) Greta Gerwig and Lola Kirke in Mistress America (actually anything that Greta Gerwig touches). As you well know, I'm a sucker for an 80s soundtrack.
Hurrah for the solid, female protagonist and may the odds be ever in her favour.
