The Giver

 

The Giver 2014

• Director: Philip Noyce
• Seen by this director: Gone Baby Gone, Rabbit-Proof Fence
• Based on the book by Lois Lowry
• Cast: Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Taylor Swift, Alexander Skarsgård, Katie Holmes, Odeya Rush, Cameron Monaghan
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Brenton Thwaites – Pirates of the Caribbean, Maleficent
• Jeff Bridges – True Grit, The Men Who Stare at Goats, Seabiscuit, The Big Lebowski, The Fabulous Bake Boys, The Last Picture Show
• Meryl Streep - many
• Taylor Swift - Cats
•  Katie Holmes – Woman in Gold, Batman Begins, The Ice Storm
• Alexander Skarsgård  - Big Little Lies, Melancholia
• Odeya Rush – Lady Bird
• Why? The book.
• Seen: 17 September 2023                 

             In a future society, complete equality is mandatory. Feelings are strictly controlled, colours, music and beauty are forbidden. Memories of cruelty, crime and war have been supressed so that only one of the Elders, the Giver (Bridges) has access to humanity’s memories.

       At the transition to adulthood ceremonies, Jonas (Thwaites) is assigned the position as Receiver, the next keeper of memories.

       I quite liked the book but the film is jam-packed with platitudes. Love is beautiful, colour and music is beautiful, feelings are beautiful. Sure war and all the bad stuff that Jonas is shown is bad but come on.

       Read the book. It’s more believable, less preachy and more enjoyable.

 2* of 5