Released: 2008
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13
Directed By: Mark Herman
Where I Got It: netflix
SUMMARY:
"Mark Herman's adaptation of John Boyne's novel concerning the forbidden friendship that between an eight-year-old German boy and a Jewish concentration camp prisoner in World War II-era Germany. The innocent son of a high-ranking Nazi commandant, Bruno has been largely shielded from the harsh realities of the war. When Bruno discovers that his father has been promoted and that their family will be moving from Berlin into the countryside, he doesn't take the news well. Increasingly bored in his sprawling yet dreary country abode and forbidden by his mother from exploring the backyard, young Bruno searches for something to do while his older sister plays with dolls and vies for the attention of handsome Lieutenant Kotler."
TRAILER:
CAST:
Bruno - Asa Butterfield
Shmuel - Jack Scanlon
Gretel - Amber Beattie
Bruno's Father - David Thewlis
Bruno's Mother - Vera Farmiga
Grandpa - Richard Johnson
Grandma - Sheila Hancock
Lieutant Kotler - Rupert Friend
Pavel - David Hayman
Herr Liszt - Jim Norton
Maria - Cara Horgan
REVIEW:
I've seen this many, many, many times. I simply adore this movie. It's such a beautiful tale of innocence, friendships, love, and tragedy. Yes, tragedy. It DOES deal with the Holocaust, after all. I really should read the book someday. Mhmmmm
The acting and script writing was wonderful. They picked a great cast. They picked a really good family...they look like a real family. Bruno looks like a spitting image of the "mom", while Gretel looks a lot like the "father". Which I think they did on purpose. "Father" is a Nazi and believes in the cause and the daughter takes after those thoughts and beliefs for a time. "Mom" at first is rather naive and innocent about what her husband does (meaning he runs the concentration camp a few blocks away), but then finds out and despises it and him, and then Bruno is similar. Granted he doesn't ever really understand what his father is doing. I loved Shmuel. Probably the cutest kid. Great kid to play the role, he did a wonderful job. I really wonder why none of the actors won an Oscar. Oh well.
I have nothing to complain about. I just wish they would have played around more with Gretel's development as well. Oh well...also I hated the ending. Mind you, it was a FANTASTIC ending. However, I cry EVERY TIME! I've watched this well over five times now and I still cry like a child. I did watch this with Boyfriend on our second movie date a while back, so I had to restrain myself immensely. I also watched it in my Humanities class and the buff, football playing tough guy next to me even teared up a wee bit.
Overall, this is one of my favorite movies. Top Twenty (I should make a list of my top twenty movies, so far). It does have a rather sad ending, but it's just a great, great movie. If you like Drama or have any interest in History or just movie watching, you need to watch this. You will love it too. Out of five stars I grant this one 5 stars.
Would I Watch Again?:
Already seen it a million times! haha So...yes.
Favorite Character(s): Bruno's Mom, Bruno's Dad (just because I adore the actor) Bruno, Shmeul (cute kid), and Grandma
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Gretel. >.>
*CaroleRae*
3 comments:
I want to wtch it but I just cane bare myself to
I've never seen this one, but I think this is the movie my son was just talking about. He said they watched it in school instead of Diary of Ann Frank. It looks good.
DO IT, B! hahahaha (no pressure or anything hehehe)
Melissa, it is really good. I personally like it better then Diary of Anne Frank...it shows both sides. It shows that not all Germans were EVIL. It shows that innocence and compassion did still exist in that world.
Post a Comment