Review of The Book Thief (2013) by Hatem A — 23 Apr 2014

2.5/4.0.

I have a feeling that the source material upon which this film is based - the 2005 bestseller by Australian author Markus Zusak - is better than the film adaptation, although I have not read it. As an example, the film (like the book) is narrated by Death, which is interesting given its Nazi Germany setting but for some reason it doesn't translate too well on the big screen.

The movie tells the story of Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nelisse of "Monsieur Lazhar) who, in 1938, is adopted by Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson) as her birth mother is a Communist and is thus in danger in Nazi Germany. Rush and Watson, two of the best actors around, are one of the main reasons to watch this film. Rush plays a loving, caring father who teaches Liesel how to read off a gravedigger's manual she stole while Watson is a tough-on-the-exterior-but-soft-inside mother. Their relationship with each other and their adopted daughter is beautifully conveyed. The real revelation is Nelisse who carries the movie from start to finish.

The movie focuses on Liesel as she goes through her new life: she befriends Rudy (Nico Liersch), a neighbor and schoolmate who develops an affection for her; develops a "book-centric" relationship with the mayor's wife (Barbara Auer); and grows close to Max (Ben Schnetzer), a Jew hiding at her foster parent's place as Hans is indebted to the boy's father with his life. "The Book Thief" at times feels like a conventional WWII movie especially in its depiction of Nazis and their persecution. It has some good moments but overall it is not groundbreaking. I enjoyed the movie and was moved at times but the sum is less than the parts here. Directed by Brian Percival ("Downton Abbey"). Nominated for 1 Oscar: Original Score (John Williams).