The Book Thief

Cast of Characters:

Hans Hubermann - Geoffrey Rush

Rosa Hubermann - Emily Watson

Liesel Meminger - Sophie Nelisse

Max Vandenburg - Ben Schnetzer

Director - Brian Percival

Screenplay - Michael Petroni

Based on the novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Rated PG-13 for some violence and intense depiction of thematic material

      Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush, Academy Award nominee Emily Watson and newcomer Sophie Nelisse star in Brian Percival's film adaptation, The Book Thief.

      Following the death of her younger brother, Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nelisse) is sent by her mother to live with a foster family, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa Hubermann (Emily Watson), in WWII Germany. Rosa comes off as the strict headmaster of the household, while Hans takes an immediate and affectionate liking to Liesel. Having brought with her a book of her brother's that was left by his graveside, she becomes intrigued by reading, despite not being able to read, and begins to collect books that she finds.

      With Nazi Germany rearing its ugly head in the background, Liesel makes a new friend with Max Vandenburg (Ben Schnetzer), a runaway Jewish boy who the Hubermann's are hiding and protecting in their basement.

      When I first saw the preview for this, I wasn't turned off by it in any way, but I was somewhat a bit "Really?" with the way the marketed it, having the voice-over narration play out like some cheesy made-for-TV Hallmark film. Having now seen The Book Thief, thankfully previews aren't the judge with the final say on how a film will turn out. This is one of the year's best films. It's never easy combining fable-like, heartwarming moments with a horrific backdrop, particularly one as tragic as the Holocaust. Thanks to director Brian Percival and screenwriter Michael Petroni, though, the two have crafted together a moving and respectful tale that balances the lighthearted moments perfectly with the darker tones of the film while never once taking the subject of Nazi Germany lightly either. Aside from a few moments, we don't get too deep into the tragedy of the Holocaust, but this isn't Schindler's List. This is a story of a family brought together through extremely tragic circumstances, yet they are still able to find joy in the smaller moments that life provides them. Some may find the tone to be off-putting, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We already know of the atrocities caused by Hitler. Spielberg perfectly captured it in the aforementioned Schindler's List. How often do we get a film that - yes, is set amidst the backdrop of one of history's greatest sins - but is about the everyday good German folk that despite the hardships they faced, still tried to rise above it all? French-Canadian actress Sophie Nelisse has done a few things back up in Canada, but for me she's a newcomer and it's quite a wonderful entrance for her. She is absolutely magnificent as the young, vulnerable yet still fiercely strong Liesel. When a certain Hitler Youth student taunts her to read and calls her a "dummkopf" (German for stupid), she has no problem putting him in his place with a good bitch slap. As she becomes more and more attached to her adoptive family and Max, she fights to keep them, having already lost her mother and brother. I look forward to seeing more from this girl. Both Geoffrey Rush (who rarely - that is, if ever - fails) and Emily Watson are terrific as the two adoptive parents that take Liesel in and do what they can to shelter her what is taken place in the country and what is yet to come. Watson's Rosa, in particular, is the type of woman you'd never wanna cross, but like any well written character, there are moments where the humanity within her comes out.

      While the events of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust aren't in full display, we still are reminded every now and then throughout the film of the evil Hitler brought upon his country. Yet, this is not a movie about heartbreak and tragedy. Yes, we do get those moments, but overall this is an uplifting film of courage and hope, featuring a final ten minutes that moved even a cynic like me. With strong direction and writing, performances that could move a solid stone wall to tears, and some perfectly fit story narration by "death" that captures the fable-like mood of this film, this is certainly one of the year's best movies, and although it faces some very strong competition, it could be a dark horse contender in the Best Picture field. I give The Book Thief an A+ (★★★★).