Review of The Giver (2014) by Matthew C — 22 Sep 2014

While not as powerfully memorable as the book was, it has stuck with me since I read it over 10 years ago, I did enjoy Noyce's adaptation. There were some strong performances highlighted by strong moments between Jonas and the Giver, and between Jonas and Fiona.

But there are weak moments as well which add up to a mediocre film even though the messaging is closer to the truth and is braver than other young-adult dystopian stories. I think the "okness" of the film is why critics have panned in in this age of young-adult saturation.

Critics want to see the same height of excitement and drama as The Hunger Games has offered along with Divergent, which by the way is totally based on the Giver. I think Jonas, a male lead in this case, works as a hero and Jeff Bridges gives a solemn and hopeful bow but Meryl Streep is underused and though the production design and cinematography stand out, the story is underdeveloped and wanting.

This could have been a film not just praised by Christians for its stance against conformity, deception, and controversial practices like abortion and euthanasia. It could have been a film that reached wide expanses of people if it took more risks and dove deeper into why this world does not work and why life here is completely devoid of itself.