Hunger Games' Critics Complain: Katniss Doesn't Look Hungry Enough

   By drodriguez  Apr 11, 2012
11

It’s no secret that being a part of the glamorous Hollywood circle also leaves you open to harsh criticism from every corner of the web. How celebs handle cracks about their image and lifestyle can make all the difference. It seems Hollywood’s new “it girl”, The Hunger Games’ Jennifer Lawrence, will do just fine when it comes to deflecting negative comments when they come her way.

A recent report from Chicago Sun Times points out some of the critics that have slammed Lawrence for being too overweight to play the role of Katniss in The Hunger Games. Since the plot line follows characters through an apocalyptical plot line where the characters are supposed to be starving, critics found Lawrence looking too healthy to be a believable Katniss.

Hollywood Reporters’ Todd McCarthy mentioned Lawrence’s “lingering baby fat” as an issue he had with Katniss’ believability and Salon’s Andrew O’Hehir who referred to her “well-fed” body. Another reporter, Hollywood Elsewhere’s Jeffrey Well, said it more bluntly when calling Lawrence a “big-boned lady”.

In response to the comments about her weight, Jennifer Lawrence points out that none of the “starving” male characters were criticized in this way. A friend to Lawrence quotes the actress saying, “This is hilarious. First, people say how so many actresses in Hollywood look anorexic, and now they are criticizing me for looking normal,’ ” and adds that overly thin body images “are too often adopted by young girls and women — thanks to what they are constantly being shown as being attractive.”

What do you think of critics that call Jennifer Lawrence too overweight to play the role of Katniss in The Hunger Games?

Is body image a double standard in Hollywood?  Why do you think none of the male characters from the movie were criticized in the same way?
 

Make a Comment

 
SHARE
Comments
ewycoff by ewycoff | Aurora, CO
May 25, 2012

This is really stupid and ridiculous. I thought she was a fantastic Katniss. Any criticism should be regarding her skill as an actress and the ability to capture the character's essence. There are other things in this movie that don't match up to the book so it's really not a fair comparison anyway.

debbi56 by debbi56 | MOUNT ORAB, OH
Apr 12, 2012

In the books, Katniss did a lot of hunting and gathering to keep her family fed well. I never really pictured her as being a scrawny girl.

busser by busser | CLEMENTON, NJ
Apr 11, 2012

Ok I'm not going to be popular but..first of all if you haven't read the books you really shouldn't comment. I do think Jennifer is absolutely gorgeous with a killer body but as the book goes it states that she clearly lost a ton of weight and almost dies of dehydration during the games. Therefore Jennifer was way too healthy looking for the part. I think she was perfect for the part but could have been at least 10 lbs lighter to be a realistic character. It has nothing to do with body image or anyones opinion of what looks good. The fact was she was starving during the game. Its mentioned several times in the book that her bones were sticking out. And YES when I read a book I expect the moving to be the same. But alas once again this movie misses the whole point!

jaclynnb by jaclynnb | NEW YORK, NY
Apr 11, 2012

This is ridiculous! She's perfect and this is exactly what is twisting the minds of kids, both female and male, and giving them ample ammo for a horrific eating disorder. Honestly, though, I don't think it stops there. Grown ups have issues, too and as someone who strives to stay fit and live healthily, I'm appalled that in some eyes, healthy is too heavy. Also, Katniss is a hunter, she's athletic. Does no one take into account that a waif-like model would have never make it past day one, of the hunger games, let alone been able to provide for her family?

msfriendly by msfriendly | MONROE, WI
Apr 11, 2012

Really? I can't believe this! How ridiculous! I think we should be applauding what a strong female character she is! And....let's not forget, this is just entertainment....how "real" does it have to be?!

fairiebugg by fairiebugg | LAKE JACKSON, TX
Apr 11, 2012

I have not read the books or seen the movie but my teenage daughter has and I am proud to say she did not mention anything about the girls weight when she said it ws a great movie.

dawniep by dawniep | CONYERS, GA
Apr 11, 2012

OMG! Some people just have too much time! I never would have thought anything of the sort. Katniss is a athletic character that hunts, climbs and kills on a daily basis, so why would she be stick thin and sickly? Wow!

hugsnkisses by hugsnkisses | Montclair, CA
Apr 11, 2012

I don't recall reading that Katniss was emaciated, Katniss was hunter she represented a strong brave young lady...the comments about her weight are riduculouse its obvious these critics did not read the book and if they did, they did not understand it.

maineac by maineac | STANDISH, ME
Apr 11, 2012

How ridiculous! One of the cool things about the character is that she knows how to hunt and how she was able to KEEP her family from starving. The double standard where nobody mentions how well-fed the male actors looked really ticks me off, too! I read the books and then saw the movie, and I NEVER thought of this type of criticism... how REAL does it have to be??? It's a MOVIE!!

Touchedpainter by Touchedpainter | Epsom, NH
Apr 11, 2012

I just love how all these pot bellied men, stuffing their faces with Philly cheese steaks, have the hubris to comment on women's bodies. We are all beautiful people no matter the shape, size, color, creed, gender, etc. I have men friends And women friends who are over weight, some grossly, and all I see is a beautiful person I want to be with & socialize with and have a laugh with.

jenndta69 by jenndta69 | SHERMAN OAKS, CA
Apr 11, 2012

Just the dumest thing I have ever heard of. It's entertainment and acting. No wonder young girls and women have problems with body image. It's not about the way she looked, it's about the way she delivered the role. She was amazing in it and, not that it should matter, she is beautiful and perfect. These "men" who said these horrible things are idiots!