I steeled myself while anticipating the harrowing moment that was hinted at in the trailer.
As Tris, the free-thinking fugitive hero of the clumsily titled “The Divergent Series: Insurgent,” Shailene Woodley picks up what looks like a pair of gardening shears and manages to somehow transform her lengthy locks into a chic pixie cut worthy of Vidal Sassoon. No mirror or comb needed apparently.
Of all the misleading tropes in the history of cinema, chopping off one’s own hair without having it look as if Freddy Krueger was your stylist probably gets on my nerves more than most. That means you, too, Amazing Amy in “Gone Girl.” Yes, I know it is a metaphor for change, new beginnings and all that, but such an irresponsible act of DIY should not be encouraged.
However, I can fully relate to the reason behind Tris wanting to simplify her beauty regimen, especially since she spends so much of her time on the run in this sequel to last year’s “Divergent.” As she explains her new ‘do to boyfriend and protector Four (Theo James, whose maturity and manliness nicely offsets the plot’s more ridiculous turns), “I wanted something different.”