The Book Thief

Rating: 8/10 (31 October 2013)

There is always something distinct and unique about opening a new book. The newly bound, crisp page smell, the vivid and detailed wording of sentences waiting for you to mull over and lose yourself in. From the opening scene in The Book Thief, you can smell and feel the coldness nipping at your nose, unfortunately you can tell the film suffered some major cuts in the adaptation process of the screenplay, but doesn't harm the film too badly.
On the train to her foster parents, young Liesel Meminger's (Sophie Nelisse) little brother passes away. Upon arriving to her new home, Liesel butts heads with her new mom Rosa (Emily Watson), while Hans (Geoffrey Rush) teaches Liesel how to read. World War II then breaks out, and their lives cross path with a Jewish run away, Max (Ben Schnetzer). Hans and Rosa then shelter the young man in their basement.
Sophie Melisse gives a terrific first time performance. Her blonde hair, wide blue eyes and ability to speak English and German add for a truly outstanding, and heart-warming performance. Geoffrey Rush gives another fantastic role. Rush and Nelisse have some of the films best scenes. Rush worked extremely well with the new up and coming actress, their chemistry is flawless. Emily Watson is also superb. Her character reminded me a lot of Watson's character in War Horse. Ben Schentzer gives a breakout performance, hope to see him more films soon.
Brian Percival, of Downton Abbey fame, paced the film well. His directing was beautifully captured by Florian Ballhaus. But how a book gives you so much detail and lets your imagination fill in the blanks, the film does not. The film felt extremely gutted. Towards the end of the film situations unfolded slightly to fast, but what do you expect when you're adapting a five hundred and fifty page book into a two hour movie.
Overall, The Book Thief is a terrific, heart-warming film that everyone can enjoy. Not one bad scene. I give The Book Thief an 8 out of 10.