UNIQUE STORY = Incredibly 'Moving' Film!

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2013)

Some critics have expressed the view, that this film should have maintained a 'darker' atmosphere, fully reflecting the bleak WWII backdrop (and overlapping Holocaust period, circa 1938-1945). But I feel the director, and producer of this movie made best efforts to be faithful to the tone of Markus Zusak's original and highly acclaimed novel, and to also remain true to the youthful (and by definition, more optimistic) view of its main protagonist, Liesel Meminger. With that in mind, the 'Book Thief' film should be looked at, as a worthy companion piece (and not directly compared) to the other immensely important Holocaust period films, like 'Schindler's List' the 'Pianist' and even the 'Reader.' However, while decidedly 'lighter' in tone, this film does contain a critically important (and serious) central theme = the very difficult (and sometimes even life endangering) moral 'choices' that ordinary people, during WWII, were forced to make in order to survive, while still protecting their full 'humanity' (made much more hazardous during the epoch of calculated cruelty perpetrated by the Third Reich). There are many stories still to be told (and lessons to be learned), from this exceedingly bleak period, and Markus Zusak's novel, and this outstanding film, happen to tell an exceptionally engaging and heartfelt tale. Now, the film review: the direction by Brian Percival is inspired, extracting the perfect balance of both 'authentic' and 'spontaneous' performances from each member of the amazingly talented cast. Sophie Nelisse is truly extraordinary, her portrayal of Liesel Meminger being incredibly real, and always totally 'in the moment' (with no hint of actions being rehearsed/ or pre-planned), she is also more than able to convey the complete 'transformation' of Liesel, from initial bewilderment, to growing 'awareness' (largely due to book thievery), and the resolute drive to understand and share the contents of these stolen outlawed books, culminating in her full capacity to transmit large doses of compassion, much beyond her years. This last dimension especially true, in her ability to restore the 'hidden Jew' Max Vandenburg (brilliantly played by Ben Schnetzer) back into our world of the Living (thru the sheer power of many stolen book readings)! Geoffrey Rush (certainly one of the most gifted actors of our time) brings the requisite abundance of 'humanity' to Hans Hubermann, and Emily Watson is more than adept at interpreting the complex characterization of Rosa (her seemingly stone faced facade,used to conceal a very large heart of Gold). The actor playing Rudy is a perfect match to the spontaneous playfulness, and empathy of Liesel's portrayal. And the interactions between Max and Liesel are full of genuinely 'magic' and truly inspiring moments. John William's score is also exceptionally heartfelt, and a good companion piece to his incredible "Schindler's List" Score. All in all, a very worthy and important film = that should promote much discussion regarding the timeless question of what it really means to retain our humanity during exceedingly 'inhuman' (and inhumane) times (WWII and the Third Reich, certainly reflecting the darkest of these periods). 'The Book Thief' really deserves to be seen by a much wider audience - and also hopefully, win a few Oscars along the way! I also highly recommend Markus Zusak's original source book - to discover many more hidden 'gems' and also hear much more from its narrator 'death' (a narrator/character providing a number of surprising insights, perhaps even bordering on the humane? A most intriguing aspect of the original source novel)!