What is the author's message and who, or what, do the movie's characters represent to you?

Rating: 10/10 (30 January 2009)

In my opinion this is a good movie/book because it has basic moral appeal and an enduring message, and because this movie (and probably the book to an even greater degree) can have symbolic or abstract meaning in regard to the characters and what they represent in terms of history, national identity, and humanity.
I think this quote accurately describes the moral message of the movie: A timeless story of innocence lost and humanity found. The message of the movie is that human beings are born innocent. We are born to love and we become friends with anyone regardless of race / religion / orientation, etc. However, as we grow old, we grow corrupted, and then we lose our innocence and become more prejudiced and filled with hate (well a lot of people, but not all). So in the end, the movie is saying that we are all the same, we are all human beings, and it is the silly, narrow, immoral things that divide and ruin us.
None of us are immune to this behavior, so we must always remember that if we don't watch ourselves it can happen again.
I would like to see other reviewer's interpretation and analysis of, the message of the movie and who or what the characters symbolically represent... There is no right or wrong answer, only your personal opinion(s).
So, what is the author's message and who, or what, do the movie's characters represent to you?