The Giver

Let me first say that I never read Lois Lowry's 1993 book on which the new film "The Giver" is based. As a result, I had no expectations. Reading comments from fans of the book seem to indicate specifics of the book were changed and not everyone is pleased. However, as someone who is not familiar with it, I watched the film as just that - a film. I thought it was quite wonderful.

In a future where "sameness" is practiced and all emotion, pain, and choice are done away with, there exists a community where everything seems to be orderly. There is no competition, no one lies, and future jobs are determined by a government that has been watching you for your entire life. Families are made up of a mother and father that are given babies (not biologically their own) to raise. After what is essentially high school, the Chief Elder (Meryl Streep) appears to give each graduate their place in the world. Some go into nurturing (caring for newborn babies), some actually have babies, some are drone pilots, others do menial labor. It's a bit like "Divergent" this way, but there is one assignment that is rare and very special: That of The Receiver. Jonas (Brenton Thwaites "Maleficent") is chosen for this role, as he possesses certain key attributes that qualify him for the role.

The Receiver is a person who will receive "memories" of how the world used to be; essentially, Earth's history. This information is transferred to him by The Giver (Jeff Bridges), who simply grabs the arms of Jonas and puts his memories and knowledge into his mind. But The Giver has ulterior motives in that he wants Jonas to change the world they live in - a world completely devoid of love, which has made life pointless.

At first, "The Giver" is a bit hard to warm up to. Each character speaks in formal, rigid tones, and while Jonas has the most warmth to him, it isn't until The Giver arrives that a true personality is seen. But that's the point of the story, and the film. While audiences might look at the supporting characters as being wooden, in fact they are presenting exactly what this future world is trying to depict: A world so lacking in individuality that life seems lifeless. Non-cynical audiences will be able to give themselves over to this conceit and lose themselves in the greater message here.

The message doesn't seem particularly complex, but emotionally speaking, it actually is. This is a story tailor-made for people that are empathic and those that understand we must feel pain in order to know love. That might be a flowery representation of the film, but that is the elegant message the novel and the filmmakers are trying to present. Pessimists will scoff, thinking the film to be too earnest or silly. But the truth underneath the striking production design by Ed Verreaux and the affected acting by almost everyone involved is a message the world so dearly needs to remember.

Maybe I'm waxing too poetic. I'm not saying it's a perfect film, but director Philip Noyce ("Clear and Present Danger" "Rabbit Proof Fence") has created a visually striking fable that has something to say. For some audience members, like me, it is an ultimately moving experience. Others might not be so taken with it. But in a summer full of battling robots, sharp-tongued aliens, and giant sea monsters destroying entire cities, this beautiful and moving film is a lovely and thought-provoking alternative.