Good and agreeable drama set during WWII, Germany, about a girl who learns about life, family love and war

Rating: 7/10 (10 April 2020)

From the studio that brought "The Life Of Pi" this is the tale of "The Books Thief" as narrated by Death : Roger Allan . As when Death tells a story, you really have to listen. It is just a small story really about, amongst other things, concerning a teen : Sophie Nelisse, an accordionist : Geoffrey Rush, some fanatic Germans, a Jewish fist fighter and quite a lot of thievery . It begins February 1938 when Liesel : Sophie Nelisse, is traveling by train along with her mother and brother, but an unfortunate incident takes place. Firstly, she takes a book from a graveyard titled "The Grave diggers Handbook", and subsequently, finding solace by books reading. Along the way a voice representating Death tells the happenings. Then, the adolescent named Liesel is adopted by a foster family, formed by stepfather called Hans Hubermann : Geoffrey Rush and stepmother named Rosa Hubermann : Emily Watson, both of whom have a Jewish refugee called Max Vandervurg : Ben Schnetzer, hidden at their basement. She undercoverly meets the Jewish and quickly become good and close friends. The more time she spends with the Jew, the more she learns about the value of friendship and reading. It will be the attractive start of an extreme romance with books. She also befriends his next door neighbor and schoolmate, too. At the beginning she is unable to read but thanks to his friends she rapidly learns and becomes really captivated with reading anything she can, even stealing books and sharing them, too.
Exciting and enjoyable coming-of-age story set in Nazi time with interesting themes, family relation, and full of courage beyond words , being based on historical facts. As at the film happens some historical events , such as : books burning similar to the famous Berlin books bonfire , 1938 Night of Shattered Crystals , bombing over German towns by Allied aviation, Jewish pursuits, among others . Stars a little girl marvelously performed by Sophie Nelisse, playing a peculiar teenager subjected to war horror while learning about the value of life and words thanks to her insatiable books reading . Geoffrey Rush plays perfectly a kind-hearted and friendly person. And Emily Watson plays pretty well as the good and understanding adoptive stepmother.
It contains a sensitive and rousing musical score by the veteran and prolific master John Williams. As well as a colorful and evocative cinematography by Florian Balhaus. The motion picture was compellingly directed by Brian Percival. He is a good craftsman who has usually directed episodes and TV series, such as : Downtown Abbey, Clocking off, Shakespeare told, Dark Angel and a movie titled A boy called Dad. Rating 7/10. Above average. Well worth watching . Essential and indispensable seeing.