The Book Thief Review

The Book Thief Review

There is an innate issue with reviewing The Book Thief. To call it a disgustingly exploitative mess seems like beating a dead horse. I am, however, pathologically terrified of horses. So, here we go...

I admit, that last paragraph was extremely hyperbolic. That doesn't change the fact that I really didn't like this movie. It's not awful, but it could have been so much more. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name (which I have not yet read), The Book Thief is the story of Liesel (played by newcomer Sophie Nelisse) who travels to live with foster parents (Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson) on the eve of World War II. We follow her and her new family as they live through the war and abet a Jew (Ben Schnetzer).

Herein lies the problem that plagues The Book Thief. It is quite possibly the most sugar coated view of war ever put to screen. There are a handful scenes depicting violence and cruelty, sure, but none that come anywhere near the to show the true extent of the atrocious hardship undergone by millions of people across Europe. These scenes seem more of an afterthought, a distraction to the real plot. The film is much more interested in giving us a cute, family friendly two-hour library advert. 

So, it fails as an accurate depiction of war, but what about the story it actually wants to tell? Unfortunately, it largely stuffs that up as well. I think the main issue is that Liesel really doesn't go through a journey. She starts the film as a nice, kind girl and ends it as a nice, kind girl who can read. It's hard to get behind her story when their really isn't one. A possible romance between classmate Rudy (who frankly comes off as a tween-age pervert) suffers serious underdevelopment. Max is far too perfect to be relatable and is eventually revealed to be nothing more than a plot device. 

I did, however, enjoy the time spent with the the fosters. Rush and Watson give good performances and the way they constantly bounce off each other is easily the most realistic thing the film depicts. Watson (a great actress) is sadly given the role of a pantomime villain for a large part of the film. Rush (also very talented), on the other hand, is the only character that actually feels like a real human being.

In the last 15 minutes or so, the film delivers on what I'd hoped for. It is too late though, as I was left cold by what should have heartbreaking. These characters are so thinly drawn that when they suffer extreme hardship, I was looking at my watch; waiting for the lights go up.

The Book Thief is not awful, just painfully dull and unengaging. There are flashes of brilliance, but these are rendered meaningless by my extreme indifference during the third act. The talent involved and strength of topic make this one of the most disappointing cinema experiences I've had in a long time.

Five Word Verdict: An awkward hug from mediocrity

Score: 2/5 

What did you think of The Book Thief? How does it compare to the novel? Let me know in the comments below. My next review will be of an older, but relevant, film in a new segment leading up to a hotly anticipated release. You can find out whatever the hell that last sentence meant on Saturday 8th. As always, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@The_Hamster_Boy) and comment any article suggestions. See you next time!