Review of The Giver (2014) by Logan H — 14 Oct 2016

The Community in Limbo is Given Humanity.

The Giver film, is predominantly based on the multi-award winning novel written by the proficient Lois Lowry. Creatively directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Jeff Bridges (The Giver), Brenton Thwaites (Jonas, The Receiver), and Meryl Streep (The Chief Elder) collectively make up an outstanding cast. Taylor Swift (Rosemary), also plays a semi-important featured role in the movie with Jeff Bridges.

In an advanced 'Utopian' society, humans achieve a thriving non-prejudicial environment, but a loss that made humans unique occurred in the past. Emotions, memories, and the ability to truly connect with one another is taken away by a simple daily injection. Color is removed from every citizens' vision, also climate control is achieved to eliminate illnesses. With a lack of color, there is no clear racial differences between individuals.

Director Phillip Noyce brilliantly begins The Giver in black and white, which illustrates the characters' lack of emotions with each other. Everyone is afraid of being different. However, Jonas catches a glimpse of color riding his bike with his two best friends Fiona (Odeya Rush), and Asher (Cameron Monaghan). The visual transitions of color throughout the movie follow Jonas' path of training to become different. You see everybody from infancy to The Chief Elder receives their assigned roles in The Community. At the annual Ceremony of Twelve, every young person's name is called, and assigned a role in the Community. They must fill this role for the rest of their lives. Jonas is the last one called. He is awarded a highly, yet honorable role as the Community's next Receiver of Memory. This begins Jonas' journey. Jonas meets with the current Receiver of Memory, AKA The Eponymous Giver played by a philosophical Jeff Bridges, to begin his training. The Receiver of Memory's purpose is to bear the memories from all of history, through allowed access to books. The Giver also transfers these memories and emotions literally through a physical laying on of hands. This is Jonas' honorable training.

Targeting a young adult audience, Noyce conveys the importance of being human. The film's human connection is essential to being different, and through observing ourselves the viewers can transform like Jonas in today's reality. Transitioning from uneducated to enlightened about our pasts, our current external presents, to develop and shape our futures.

The Giver is a masterpiece novel and movie. The story doesn't feel rushed, there is adventure, romance, and a Utopia turned Dystopia. The human interaction and connections that we make and infer are astonishing in terms that human life needs to stay individualistic and cherished for our differences.