Review of The Book Thief (2013) by Uttam P — 20 May 2014

I'm surprised to see that critics disliked this one so much. Of course, this may be due to the fact that I have NOT read the book. And I have heard from various sources that the book is more than stellar.

However great the book may be, I would be shocked if Percival's film doesn't live up to at least half of the quality of the words on the pages. One review remarked how the film only conveys that Nazis are bad, books are good and Geoffrey Rush makes a good dad.

If this is all this critic took away from the movie, he wasn't paying attention at all. While all these things are true, there is much more going on here than Nazis and books. World War 2 is filled with stories and even with all of the ones out there, we haven't but dug an inch deep into the plethora.

This girl wants to learn to read and write, but this means much more. She wants a voice. She wants to understand. Her family has been taken away. Her home. She's with strange people, one a seeming tyrant, and the other a warm heart.

There's a war going on and her foster parents are breaking one of the highest laws in the land. What is she to do? How many children didn't make it out of the war? How many grew up without finding peace or happiness? I'm sure the book does a fine job illustrating the story, but visually this movie brings great depth to a little girl's struggle to thrive in darkness.

Not liking this movie is like saying you don't like flowers or ice cream. I understand comparing it to the book but come on, it's a well done tragic narrative that will enrich your day. Though I won't defend every creative choice, I admire this small film.