The Giver is latest book to get the silver screen treatment and in the film, which hit theaters on Friday, August 15, viewers who are fans of the book will undoubtedly notice a few differences. Here are five differences between Lois Lowry’s novel and the film that stood out to us when we were watching.
1. Lilly is slightly older
One of the more minor changes the film took liberty with was Jonas’ little sister’s age. While in the book readers see a Lilly who is longing for the bicycles that the nines get during the ceremony, she is actually a seven going on an eight and merely gets more adult clothes at the ceremony. In the film adaption however, they have made Lilly an eight meaning that when the time for the ceremony comes, she is promoted to a nine and we see her riding off with a brand new bicycle.
2. Jonas has a clear set of friends
While book Jonas speaks quite a few times about his relationship with Asher and also mentions that they have been friends since they were little, the movie does things a bit differently. In the film, the writers have chosen to set up a clear group of friends for Jonas which include Fiona and Asher. It is apparent from the get go that the film wants the audience to know that trio are the best of friends and have been so since childhood.
3. Fiona and Asher have different professions and more important roles
There are quite a few differences between book Fiona and Asher and film Fiona and Asher. Aside from being established as Jonas’ two best friends in the film, the two have also been given slightly different professions. In the book, Fiona becomes a caregiver for the elderly, while in the movie, they have given her the title of nurturer. Asher on the other hand, goes from recreational director to drone pilot, a profession that did not even exist in the book.
Professions aside, both characters have much more to do in the film than they did in the book. While Fiona is arguably a background character that Jonas is aware of, in the book, she very much takes on a supporting character role. She not only serves as Jonas’ love interest, but also as someone who struggles to choose between Jonas and the world she has always known when Jonas tries to make her understand exactly what he has experienced during his lessons with The Giver. Asher’s general disposition is very similar to that of the book in the sense that film pins him as a quick to speak individual that’s always smiling. His position as drone pilot in the film also serves a purpose toward the end of the film and becomes integral to Jonas’ plight.
4. Citizens with the ability to become receivers are clearly marked
While the book hints that only people with paler eyes have the ability to become the next receiver, in the movie, they’ve taken it one step further by bestowing a marking on the inner corner of a citizen’s wrist to show that they have the capacity to receive memories if chosen. When Jonas first meets The Giver, he notices the same birth mark looking smudge on the inside of his wrist that he himself possesses. Later, we see Rosemary possess the same mark. Finally, Jonas sees the mark on baby Gabe– this mark is the reason he is able to transfer soothing memories to the baby when he cries in the film.
5. The Chief Elder has a much bigger role
In Lois Lowry’s novel, readers are only briefly introduced to The Chief Elder who serves as the leader of Jonas’ community. Readers hear from her once during the ceremony where Jonas becomes The Receiver of Memories and then she’s really not spoken of again. The film, however, has made The Chief Elder into much more of a threat to Jonas’ plight. Throughout the film, we see The Chief Elder monitoring Jonas’ progress and even voicing concerns of what will happen if he goes rogue until she comes to the realization that he must be stopped. In a way, regardless of the fact that The Chief Elder of the film is only doing what she believes to be right, she still serves as the main villain of the film, and the one Jonas must overcome if he hopes to save the citizens of his community and show them the memories that they have been missing.
The Giver is in theaters now.