Some did not like the fact that death (as voice over) begins to tell the story, but this also served to make it all the more compelling. From the very opening scenes this film draws you in. They can read meaning (often their own) into works of crude ugliness, yet feel they have to hide from life affirming warmth. I've read several 'professional' reviews for this work and it seems too easy for some Critics to sit in their comfortable cinema seats, or arm chairs in the safety of their homes, and write, what often amount to trite comments. It gleams like the sun, glistens like rays on the surface of water - for here is a dark tale that lights up the very soul. 'The Book Thief' is certainly a rare kind of film for its day. But the power of the story and the acting generally compensate for this short coming. Some viewers may find this disconcerting. Having 'Death' as the narrator right from the start seems to suggest fable, but the story itself veers sharply to drama for most of the 2+ hours, and then, noticeably at the end, reverts to fable. If the film has any fault at all, it is the decision by the film makers to try to walk a fine line between drama and fable. Hats off too to young Nico Liersch who plays a boyhood friend of Nelisse. Many of the core scenes with Nelisse, Watson, and Rush should be required viewing at any acting school. 'The Book Thief' has wonderful photography by Florian Ballhaus, an excellent musical score by Golden Globe and Oscar winning John Williams ('Schindler's List', 'ET', 'Star Wars'), and best of all, marvelous acting from Sophie Nelisse as the young girl, Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson as her adoptive parents, and Ben Schnetzer as the Jewish boy they hide. 'The Diary of Anne Frank' is the classic example, but more recently, 'No Place on Earth' (2013) covered some of the same ground as did 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' (2008) and especially 'Lore' (2012). This isn't the first film to adopt this perspective.

Nazi rallies, anti-Jewish pogroms, Hitler Youth groups, conscription, book burning, daylight bombing, propaganda films and posters, and the whole gamut of events are seen from her perspective. Both tell the story of a preadolescent girl who is adopted into a German family living in a small village in 1938, and then by following her life we get to view war on the home front for Germany. The film is rather traditional and almost doesn't fit in with the rest of today's movies, but rather reminded me of many other older classics.Those familiar with the 2005 award winning and best-selling novel by Australian author Markus Zusak will not be disappointed with the theatrical version which differs from the book in only minor details. The characters are the best part of this film and I found them very enjoyable. The subject matter is obviously very serious, but the story of 'The Book Thief' allows a wide range of people to watch this and understand, be it a young child or an adult. Still, the film gives a touching story to watch. It seems every time a moment - of suspense, of sadness, or happiness - comes, it holds on for a short while, but cuts off before you can fully take it in. Not just of the ending, but everything before. The ending, however, comes rather quickly and you are left with that same feeling of wanting to know more. For the majority of the movie, you are invested into these characters and you follow their time through WWII, and much goes on. Which is where the film falls in general. The various sets of the film - backed up with some clean, beautiful cinematography (yet nothing too astounding) - show several different parts of the town, but you are still left wanting to see more of this world. Even with all the dramatic events surrounding them, it is easy to get caught in the relationship between Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson as the familiar nagging parents of Liesel. Performances by the entire cast, no matter how small or large a role they play, are certainly deserving of praise. Though it's nothing new, the writing and lines are still great and make the characters very likable. There is an excellent blend of different pieces that move the film along well - the violence and the intensity of the time period, the touching relationships between friends and family, and the humor they all share. 'The Book Thief' takes place during the Holocaust, a subject seen in many other renowned films, but the beauty of this story comes from the perspective viewers get - that of a child's. For the most part, you will come out seeing this film with what you expect.

Book thief movie