The Vidiot Reviews

Rating: 7/10 (13 March 2014)

The Book Thief
The problem with stealing books is that no one cares they're missing.
However, this drama takes place at time when books were both valued and feared.
To keep her safe from the Nazis, Liesel's (Sophie Nélisse) mother sends her to live with foster parents, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson).
Whereas Rosa is stern, Hans is kindhearted and teaches Liesel to read the books she pilfers from the book burnings.
When WWII breaks out, Liesel learns Hans is harboring a Jew (Ben Schnetzer) in their basement.
To pass the time, the refugee teaches Liesel to write her own stories.
Despite omitting major sections of the book, this is a suitable adaptation of the teen novel.
But, like the book itself, the narrative never uses its fascist setting to its full potential.
Incidentally, Nazis burnt books so Hitler's Mein Kampf would be the only one on the Best Sellers list.
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