The film, “The Book Thief,” an adaptation of the book by Markus Zusak, details a young girl’s endurance in war-stricken Nazi Germany.
Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse) falls victim to Hitler’s actions at the height of World War II. Books are burned as an “intellectual cleansing” throughout Germany, yet she wants to read. Liesel’s adopted father Hans Hubermann (Geoffrey Rush) serves as her teacher, allowing her to find solace in books. The young girl experiences further unease when her family houses Max (Ben Schnetzer), a Jew. Connected by their love for words, Liesel and Max cope with the brutal circumstances of the war by following in the footsteps of past authors and writing about their hardships.
The movie includes heart-warming and tear-jerking moments, captivating viewers. Though it does not illustrate the book identically, the film competently captures the struggles endured by many German people during WWII. Entertaining and emotionally enthralling, “The Book Thief” is worth watching.
“The Book Thief” is rated PG-13 for some violence and intense depiction of thematic material. The film is recommended for young adults and adults.