OH NO. #TheGiver

Some disturbing reports have reached me regarding the recent launch of The Giver (movie). I have a special place in my heart for The Giver (book). I also have a special place in my heart for Meryl Streep. I have a special place in my heart for book adaptations made with real fans. I have a super special place for pro-life media. In sum, I should have a special place in my heart for The Giver (movie). However, when news of the movie broke several months ago, I saw some red flags:

Red Flag #1: Thwaites... why is he in his 20s and playing a pre-teen? Oh... 'cause Jonas is 16 now? Uh-uh.

Red Flag #2: Meryl Streep is Meryl Streep. Why would you hire Meryl Streep as a minor character? Oh... 'cause the Chief Elder isn't a minor character anymore? Okay....

Red Flag #3: WHAT IS WITH THIS CASTING? WHY IS EVERYONE TOO OLD AND TOO FAMOUS? #ExceptJeffBridges #Perfection

Red Flag #4: Fiona is a real person now and takes up half of the poster... Interesting choices.

And then the movie came out and an erudite Buzzfeed gang posted these articles: 1, 2. Then Cinablend put THIS up. And something called Vox.com had THIS. According to these sources, my worries and more have been realized. Despite this film having been made with the full enthusiasm of the author herself and by an über-fan (another shout-out to Jeff Bridges here), some Hollywoodizing may have hurt this film. One of the most gut-wrenching to hear about was the colorizing. However the high tech amp-up could be cool, and I kinda see why Jonas's relationships with Fiona and Cameron had to be altered (but when there is Jonas-Fiona "fan fic" out there, I kinda go green in the face), plus I think some of the changes in Jonas's relationship to the Giver (i.e. the altered memories and the stormy fights and the music) could be really good for the film. But the ending was changed? That was sacred ground. Messing with Fiona and Asher's jobs? Just take away half of their book characterization, why dontcha. I'll withhold judgement on this one until I've actually seen it... but I'm a little worried about doing that.

UPDATE
I have now seen the film. There are certain changes I am annoyed by (especially those age changes and that fluffy little romance and that chase scene at the end) but overall they did a pretty nice job respecting the idea of the story. It made Gabe appear to be a Christlike figure, which I'm pretty sure wasn't intended in the book, but Brenton Thwaites and Jeff Bridges killed it in their roles, as did the young woman playing Fiona (the most abused character in this adaptation). Would've liked to have seen an adaptation that was slightly more faithful to the original, but this will do.