THE BOOK THIEF - REVIEW

THE BOOK THIEF - REVIEW

The Book Thief is a compelling riveting tale of a young girl’s courage and tenacity in the face of a life that has been filled with pain, anguish, loss and suffering.

Based on the beloved bestselling book, THE BOOK THIEF tells the story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany.

At the beginning of the story we find Liesel, played by the young Canadian actress Sophie Nélisse, on her way to a new foster family. Her younger brother dies on the journey while her mother was taken away from her by the Nazi’s for being a communist. At this tender young age of her life, Liesel has already experienced a fair share of tragedy to last a lifetime.

This harrowing sentimental tale that captures each defining moment of Liesel’s young life, is a just pure perfection story telling at its finest. The film moves forward at a steady pace allowing us to be submerged in the drama, overcome with happiness with her joy and filled with sadness for her pain.

Its a film that draws on the viewers empathy for young Liesel, as she finds a family after she loses her own. Its touching tale of friends and family and the love and connections people can make in their lives albeit with strangers.

The aesthetics and atmosphere surrounding the film go hand in hand with Liesel’s emotions and feelings, with beautiful cinematography that enhances every high and low of her life.

With wonderful performances from Sophie Nélisse and Geoffrey Rush playing Hans (Liesel’s foster Father), The Book Thief is made that much more enjoyable and sincere.

 The Book Thief is a film filled with sentiment, tragedy, loss and love, with beautiful cinematography and wonderful performances we see a film that is touching, sincere and simply wonderful.

My Rating

8/10

HER - REVIEW

HER – REVIEW

Smart, endearing, heartfelt, humorous and delightful, Her is a light Sci-fi, romantic, drama, comedy that imbues elegance, soul and wisdom as it hones in on the problems with modern day social behaviour.

The story is about a lonely writer who develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need.

This story is equal parts endearing, profound, absurd and completely entertaining. With a beautiful visual aesthetic that permeates the screen with soft pastel dream like colours and mesmerizing performances by Joaquin Phoenix, who plays Theodore (the lonely writer), and Scarlet Johansson who voices Samantha (the OS), Her plays a sweet melancholic tune to the satisfaction of your carnal senses. 

It’s a multi-faceted story that deals with love, lost and the inability one has to move on. In the film we find that Theodore is going through a divorce, although it’s clear that he still loves his ex wife (played by Rooney Mara), his completely befuddled and somewhat lacking in human social contact.

Even though Theodore has friends, the futuristic gleaming LA city is filled with colour and wonder yet, people are more alienated from each other then ever as everyone is always connected to their devices. The film paints an interesting picture on the present state of human social behaviours by creating a portrait of where it might be headed.

Its engrossing, transfixing, completely inspired as we witness a pivotal moment in Theodore’s life, discovering Samantha. Theodore is desperately lonely and wounded from a failed marriage; he is a man who wants to love and wants someone who loves him.

Samantha on the other hand, is an Operating System that is highly inquisitive and witty, she is the perfect antidote for Theodore as she reinvigorates and falls in love with him.

Samantha is interested and intrigued by everything and Theodore can’t help but to teach her all he can. There’s a sweet romance to their relationship as it blossoms through out the film. Even so, the film is a subtle analysis on modern relationships as we see Theodore’s incapability of fostering any real relationships with people. 

Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as Theodore is simply marvellous, with the majority of the film focussing on Theodore and his isolation from people, the entire film hinged on his performance. Phoenix is fantastic in the role, as he plays Theodore with complete conviction in his subtle state of depression. 

Albeit Scarlett Johansson’s contribution to the film is in voice only, what she manages to do with just her voice is remarkable. Johansson brings Samantha to life in a way you couldn’t imagine unless you seen the film. As Samantha you feel her sense of wonder, love, desire, hurt, pain, joy as she learns and experience more of the world. Johansson’s voice completely radiates and permeates.

From the soundtrack to the cinematography, the writing, directing, editing, acting etc. Her is triumphant, an instant classic, a film long to be remembered for its absurd charm, and ludicrous sophistication, it’s a warm thought provoking entertaining fascination wrapped up in a film.

My Rating

10/10