Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Roger Allam, Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Heike Makatch, Julian Lehmann, Gotthard Lange, Rainer Reiners, Kirsten Block, Nico Liersch, Ludger Bökelmann, Paul Schaefer, Nozomi Linus Kaisar, Oliver Stokowski, Robert Beyer, Hildegard Schroedter, Levin Liam, Ben Schnetzer, Sandra Nedeleff, Rafael Gareisen, Carl Heinz Choynski, Carina N. Wiese, Stephanie Stremler, Rainer Bock, Sebastian Hülk, Barbara Auer, Matthias Matschke, Jan Andres.
When Death speaks, it is wise to listen…
Michael Petroni’s adaptation of Markus Zusak’s critically acclaimed novel The Book Thief could have gone two ways. Thankfully for those who have come to adore the book and for cinema attendees in general, it not only captures the spirit that pervades throughout the 2005 literature treat but also adds something, something tangible, something solid, it adds meat to the bones in a way that only a film can.
From Roger Allam’s perfect delivery as the Narrator/Death in which his silky smooth voice is one perhaps that you hope will be the one to guide you with a hand across your shoulder, to consummate performances by Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nélisse and Nico Liersch, The Book Thief will not only steal a kiss if possible, a book or two but also your sensibilities as the climax of the film comes ever closer.
Death has found himself at the start of perhaps the most horrific time in human history. He has always been busy, never being able to take a day off from a job in which he dislikes as he finds humans interesting, however now in Nazi Germany his work load is increased insurmountably and yet he finds time to care for a girl on the verge of adolescence who has just witnessed her brother starve to death.
Liesel Meminger, stunningly played by Sophie Nélisse, is illiterate, her Communist mother is on the run and she is taken in by Hans and Rosa Hubermann where she is taught how to read after stealing a book at the graveside of her brother. It is the book that becomes important, the words of all sacred and there is visible rise in anger in the audience when they see the German people urged to burn all books deemed unsuitable to the new morals decreed by Nazi Germany. No matter how many films you have seen with this depiction over the years, the arrogance, the stupidity and disgrace upon the times, never ceases to diminish the fury.
The film doesn’t hold back in these depictions. From the abhorrence of Kristallnacht, to the fear of what came after, the distrust around every corner, the brutality meted out on those who would speak up for their fellow citizens, Death witnessed it all and Liesel Meminger took it all in and remembered.
Both Geoffrey Rush, perhaps in his best role since that of Francis Walsingham in Elizabeth and Emily Watson are on top form as the kind hearted paint signer and his wife and Nico Liersch, who plays the Jesse Owens obsessed Rudy Steiner, is surely destined for great things in the years ahead. It is though Sophie Nélisse who captures the film, a performance worthy of all those who have gone into the cinema at a tender age and have gone on to be some of the biggest stars in film.
The Book Thief is a timely reminder that to have courage to speak out about what is wrong, that moment where Humanity’s actions are called to task, it takes one voice to say No when all around are sucked in to a course of destruction and despair which might just pull a nation back from the brink. A film which surely sits in amongst the finest of the genre!
When Death speaks it is wise to listen; when he comforts you and takes you in his arms, your soul, it seems understands that he is not evil, just merely there to help you along.
Ian D. Hall