The Book Thief

The Book Thief

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 11/27/13

Reviewed 11/29/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

3 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

While this is a toned down, almost family friendly, depiction of a small German town pre-war 1938 the context of the story almost seems inferred. The acting all around was superb especially by Geoffrey Rush as Hans. The darling Sophie Nelsse as the young girl Liesel was most certainly the star of The Book Thief and we will see her again.

It begins with a tragedy for Liesel while traveling on a train with her little brother and mother. Liesel is then pawned off to a working class German couple with no children and they are to be her new parents. Liesel never comes to understand why her mother abandons her other than they were poor and uneducated Russians. Her new "adopted" father Hans is sweet to her right off the bat and makes her feel welcome. Her new mother Rosa (Emily Watson) is everything but nice and warm. Right from the get go, a cute little blondie German boy named Rudy (Nico Liersch) takes to Liesel and is her instant best friend. He protects her even at the risk and ire of the bullies. Leisel can't read or write and the kids taunt and tease her. When Hans finds out about his daughter's deficiency he begins lessons with her on the side. Her love of books launches immediately and she wants to read every chance she can, even if it means stealing books forbidden by the dreadful Nazis. Then one day a knock on the door changes all their lives forever. A huge debt owed to a family presents a Jewish young man on the run. Max (Ben Schnetzer) takes refuge with them which makes grumpy Rosa very uncomfortable and nastier for the time being. Their lives are at risk with him hiding out there but they don't hesitate to help in spite of this.

Max almost dies from illness while in the family's basement, but really bonds with Liesel over the next few months while sharing their love for books. Even Rosa is affected by Max and warms up so subtly that it might go unnoticed. The account does gloss over the horrors of the time but even so the war is harsh to the inhabitants of the quaint community. Throughout the story, a man's voice is narrating and I thought it was Hans (Geoffrey Rush). I figured out late that it was not, it was supposed to be "death". This might have been helpful if I would have known a little earlier. Despite this and a few other flaws, The Book Thief is a sweetheart of a film that had a lot of lovable moments. It might be too slow paced for some and if you haven't read the book, like I hadn't, then don't be caught off guard by not-everything-being-all-rosy. After all...the narrator is "death".

QUIET Rating system: 3 ½ Js

Quality: JJJJ

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJ