Review of The Book Thief (2013) by Adam P — 16 May 2014

As I read the novel by author 'Markus Zusak' I was thrusted into the world of Liesel Meminger. A emotional connecting, solidly characterized, and powerfully written book. And right after finishing the book, I read that the film adaption had begun production. I was overjoyed to see an excellent tale of courage and friendship would come to life on the big screen. Unfortunately the film never showed at my Cinema when November 27th clocked in. So here I am, April 13th watching 'The Book Thief'. Was it all that I had hoped and prayed for, or what I have come to expect from film adaptions of my beloved books? I'd take the later, for this tale. My review of 'The Book Thief'.

'The Book Thief' follows Liesel Meminger, a poor unfortunate girl who is thrusted into the hands of foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann (Played by Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson), after her mother was forced to abandon her and her late brother (who died on the way there), as she was a communist. Taking place from the beginning to the end of Hitler's rain, the film (Narrated by Death) tells Liesel's story of hope, courage, and her love for books.

It's a very intriguing story, having it narrated by death. It doesn't take very long to realize this as the film's first line is 'You're all going to die." The narrating works to set up the characters and get you invested more as the film's opening is rather dull without the narration. The narration comes in short snippets throughout the film, until its closing monologue at the end, summing everything up. It's somewhat chilling and creepy, which is effective in a good way. But seems rather un-necessary altogether and is access weight to the film that already stretches past a bearable runtime, and instead leap farther into a slow 2 hours plus film.

The film on a technical stand point is very strong. The visual effects are both beautiful and show loads of craftsmanship, what with the detail of everything imaginable, the snow and houses, it's all beautifully rendered with care.

The film looks like a newly designed fabric. It's soft and pleasing to touch and hear and feel, and that's good and all, but it makes for a more comfy experience when the film tries to become serious, it just can't be taken that way. It try's dramatically to succeed but it doesn't, it's just too puppy like.

The script has too much on its mind as well. It slacks often. When it's trying to be serious, it's not, and when it's trying to be funny, it's not. The script's dialogue is uninspired and cringworthy beyond be leaf for a film like this. The script winds up just slopping about, jumping us into random places, without any explanation.

The film tries often, way too hard to be good, and instead falls on its head from exhaustion. Dramatically the film holds well, but it wears itself out from so much trying, it doesn't let itself just go with it. It follows the book well enough, but never adds what would be useful to successfully adapt the book to a feature length film.

This may have been made up by the performances, and should have but it wasn't. The cast is fine, but wasn't enough to save the story from being a hopeless mess. 'Geoffrey Rush' shines as the lovably soft, foster father of Liesel, and so does 'Emily Watson' as the bittersweet, no-nonsense foster mother, with a heart hidden underneath all the sternness. Newcomer 'Sophie Nelisse' was brilliantly cast as our heroine, Liesel Meminger a brave and strong young girl.

The score from 'John Williams' and the cinematography from 'Florian Ballhaus' both succeed to dramatically tone the film beautifully.

All and all, 'The Book Thief' is visually beautiful, dramatically successful due to the strong score and cinematography, but the uninspired script pulls the film down from truly being good. C- 4/13/14.

'The Book Thief' is rated PG-13 for some intense violence. It's appropriate for children 12 and up.