The Book Thief

On Friday, I went to the movies with my Aunts and Uncles to see "The Book Thief". I wasn't expecting much from the movie and I wasn't even sure of what it was about in the first place. But man, it was such a great movie! Apparently, it is based off of a book by Markus Zusak. It is a New York Times #1 Bestseller and outstanding reviews. I can't wait to start reading the book over Christmas Break!

I absolutely love this movie. It is beautiful, inspirational, and moving. (As I said before, I saw this movie with two sets of aunts and uncles, and lets just say that me and my aunts had the waterworks going in the theatre.) 

Here is a quick summary. . . *don't look if you don't want to be spoiled I guess*

The story is about a young girl, Liesel Memminger, who is adopted by Hans and Rosa in 1939 where Germany is on the brink of war. Hans begins to teach Liesel how to read and she soon develops a love for reading. World War II breaks out and the family must hide Max, a Jew who lives in their basement while Liesel keeps him company by reading books that she "borrows". 

*end of possible spoilers*

"If your eyes could speak, what would they say?" - Max

Anyways,  the reason why I loved watching this movie so much was because of 1) the story: it's fiction but it is told as if something like it would really have happened during this time period. It is compelling and realistic. 2) Character development: is visible and dynamic. I particularly loved Leisel's and Rosa's character development because their charcters are so full of potential and depth that makes them feel real and relatable. 3) the actors: enough said. They picked great actors for this movie! Geoffrey Rush was the only one that I had heard of and he did fantastic. Sophie Nélisse, who played Leisel Memminger, was even more fantastic! She portrayed Leisel beautifully and authentically. 4) Death's narration: Death narrates the film because he was everywhere throughout the world during this time, and especially in Germany. The way that Death was portrayed was interesting and unique at the same time because the viewers see Death in a different light than what most people portray him as (mean, destructive, etc), but in the film, he takes on this persona of being sympathetic and just there to take the souls from the dead. 

"I am haunted by humans" - Death