OMG I forgot that the kiss you kill you be you line was Finnick's. Not them utterly missing the layers of a felllow victor + a SA victim telling Katniss that. Come on!! How can Effie's delivery ever have the same prominence
I am so sorry I took so long to answer this! I always forget about this too and then randomly I'll remember this happened and get annoyed about it all over again!
Anyway, when this first popped into my inbox, I was trying to find the clip of the scene where Effie says that line, and now I've finally found it :D! So now I (fingers crossed) can explain the difference between the way Effie presents it in the movie. compared to how Finnick says it in the book- I would like it noted it is currently v early morning where I am so whether this will be coherent... who knows. Also mutuals feel free to respond in the comments etc because I know I missed something
Ultimately, the line and delivery by Effie instead of Finnick changes the impact and layers behind the kiss you, kill you want to be you line- as well as the context. Because in the film, Effie says the line to make Katniss feel more at ease and more confident for the Propo, and also show Effie, due to her role as an Escort (and as someone who atp has watched countless interviews etc) can understand and identify the different ways the audience could react. There's also a lot of pride and in the delivery because Movie! Effie is presented as being proud and caring toward Katniss ( way way way more than in the book.)
Whereas in the book where Finnick says the line instead there are way more layers due to being trafficked, being a victor, having this shared experience with Katniss of bring a victor and then having your image shaped and changed for the cameras as a tribute and then a victor- and for Katniss it is now being changed and shaped again for the rebellion and the Propo.
And yes, the line is still being used to make Katniss feel more comfortable at filming the Propo, and it's also Finnick attempting to be funny in his own way ( I think!) But that's only on the surface level reading or intent with the line, because with Finnick, there are layers, and he never truly does/can say what he thinks.
Due to his trafficking Finnick's had to put up a facade for ten years ( at least) and deal with all sorts that I can't even comprehend and had to read people and their reactions and interact with people in a multitude of ways. And so the line is him saying in a way that won't get him in trouble- this is the ways the audience will react. It's a line to show how, yes, they're doing a good thing. But It takes a lot to be on camera in this way- It isn't going to be a walk in the park! Finnick's acknowledging the physical, mental and emotional toll it will/has taken and that most people (apart from the victors) can't truly empathise with Katniss on the toll filming these Propos take. It's also alluding to how they're treated throughout the cycle of the Games from Reaped child, to Tribute to Victor.
( I have no idea if what I'm saying manages to convey what I'm thinking. Hopefully, this made sense to someone!)
On top of this, when Finnick says the line in the book, he's literally just been told about the Trident Beetee made for him and its one of the few times before Annie is back that Finnick can concentrate on something and be more present- it gives us more insight into how his mental health fluctuates, a glimpse into what enables that to happen and shows just how perceptive he is to reading people and putting the facade back on and ultimately was a great character beat between Katniss and Finnick that is just one line but has so many layers to it.
Ultimately, the line in the book hits way harder because of the layers, because Finnick has that understanding and experience as a character, and Effie doesn't. Don't get me wrong, the line works with the change in the movie, but it's not got the same prominence, layers of meaning and hits even harder in the book for me. I also just think it was a missed opportunity!
Hopefuly the mutuals see this as a) Ik my mutuals will have thoughts on this and I want to hear them and b) my mutuals understand Finnick way more than I do and will bring greater insight to this one line and provide more analysis and opinions.
Also, sorry if I got any of the terminology wrong, just let me know, and I'll fix it!
