Evil as seen though the eyes of innocent children

Rating: 9/10 (23 November 2008)

Of all my reviews, I believe that this is the first "9" I have given a film. I do not know the mechanics of the film business and distribution, but I had been hearing "buzz" and radio advertisements about this film for the last 30 days, and it wasn't until recently that it opened in only 2 theaters (25 miles apart) in all of metropolitan Sacramento.
The film affected me on several levels- one of which how a nice "family man" could become an SS commandant over a concentration camp. The father was happily married with an 8 year old boy and 12 year old girl.
And the family (wife and mother in law) had some conversations that I am sure resonated in at least a few German family households during that era.
The father justified his work with the rationalization heard over history with genocide that "they aren't really people".
I will have to say that given the usual mindless entertainment on the silver screen this movie will stay with you.
The main theme of the movie is how 2 innocent 8 year old boys are affected by evil, and man's inhumanity to man.
I had heard some detractors say that all of the "Germans" are speaking with English accents, including the American actress Vera Farmiga (I suppose to stay consistent with the other British actors) - their contention that somehow this detracts from the authenticity.
The acting and the script takes you to wartime Germany, with whatever accents the actors are using. That is the best compliment that I can give.
One of the year's best, in my opinion.