Review of The Book Thief (2013) by Jesse O — 14 Apr 2014

This is one of those sentimental melodramas that's probably gonna be a bigger hit with audiences than with critics. And the professional reviews, and crowd reactions, certainly prove my point. I'm stuck somewhere in the middle, while I wasn't a fan of its sentimentality or its wishful tone, I do think there's still more good than bad in this film.

The performances in the film are more than solid and the film offers a different perspective about World War 2 than you'd normally see. Not saying this film is unique or different, but it just offers a different viewpoint to the war than is normal.

And the film, while certainly wishful, does have a very respectful tone, I think it's clear that this was a labor of love and getting the story just right was clearly a big concern. Some of it works, some of it doesn't.

I think the film certainly plays it safe with the Nazi Germany setting, when it really could've been used far more effectively. Almost as if they were afraid of backlash. Displaying the true ugliness of the Nazi agenda should be front and center in any film dealing with this subject.

The film showcases some of that, but it's done with kid gloves. The film also shines a spotlight on humanity itself and how, in the same person, you can see the absolute worst and best in them. How can one person justify the persecution of someone else based on their skin color, religion, sexuality, etc while also doing good things for others.

How can both sides exist in one person? I think that was certainly one of the film's important points. One of the things I didn't like was Death being the narrator. It probably reads better in the book than it does in the film, I think in a book there's far more that Death can comment on and question because there aren't strict time constraints to work with.

I bet Death feels like a fully formed character, who opines on the human condition and how humanity has practically destroyed itself, etc, etc, in the book. I think it just comes across as a little bit silly in the film though.

His interjections don't really help create a character as much as tie the film together in a nice little bow at the end. He's there to fill the gaps and not to give his insight on humanity. That's probably the main reason I'm interested in reading the book, in seeing how Death in the book differs from Death in the film.

The acting, as mentioned, is more than good. I think Geoffrey Rush steals the show. I think he's incredible and he can play the most detestable of characters, see Quills, while also managing to play absolutely endearing characters, see this and The King's Speech.

This guy can do everything and he's a big reason of why I liked this film so much, he's charming, funny, and full of warmth. Emily Watson is great as the nagging wife, putting up a tough act as she's really far more emotional than she lets on, that eventually grows fond of Liesel.

And Sophie Nelisse is quite good, but I thought her delivery was poor at times. Still, considering her age and the role she's playing, she does a great job here and she already has great on-screen presence.

She doesn't really need to carry the film on her own, as she's surrounded by very talented actors, but she does a good job here nonetheless. I wish the film wasn't so afraid to use its setting to really show the ugly side of humanity, as Death mentions in his narration, and I thought it was too sentimental at times, but this is still a good movie with a good story and great performances.