Sad.

Rating: 8/10 (11 September 2015)

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008): Dir: Mark Herman / Cast: Asa Butterfield, Jack Scanlon, David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, Amber Beattie: Depressing yet powerful film about identity. Set during World War 2 where a family re-locates and a boy, Bruno establishes a friendship with a slave labor Jewish boy not fully realizing the dangers of this friendship. Truly remarkable film by director Mark Herman with high emotion and sacrifice. It will cause viewers to think about those whom we can extend friendship towards but it can also resurrect anger as with an ending that is all too sad. Superb acting by Asa Butterfield as Bruno who demonstrates curiosity on the safe side of the massive fence that separates him from this peculiar boy on the other side. He is not fully aware of the dangers but he will involuntarily learn the consequences. Jack Scanlon plays the boy of the title who discovers friendship despite the cruel conditions for which he lives. David Thewlis plays Bruno's Nazi father who will learn the hard way regarding the sense of loss, and Vera Farminga plays his wife unaware of the situation at hand. Amber Beattie plays the boy's sister, so that pretty much sums up the whole family affair. Well filmed and very convincing in its trial times. It is a sad story but provocative theme regarding friendship and exposing prejudice. Score: 8 / 10