If you’ve been a reader, you know that I really liked the book The Giver by Lois Lowry and in my review I mentioned that I hope they do a good job on the movie as I expect it to be a good night out with the family. They did and it was! The Giver was a really good film.
I loved Russell Wilde’s review where he referred to it as “Divergent in Pleasantville,” and yes that was a good summary, but having read the book and seen all three movies (we rewatched Divergent last night to see the similarities) I feel this movie was so much better than that simplification.
I think it actually could have been longer (and I rarely think that about any movie) and still entertaining.
I was pleased that it went over well with everyone in the family – yes, even the angsty teenagers thought it was a good film. Usually it takes a superhero flick to make us all agree. Go see this with your family or by yourself… but it is worth it. We spent most of the next day correcting each other with “precision of language!”
Brenton Thwaites did an excellent job in the lead role of Jonas and Odeya Rush did well as his love interest Fiona. (a bit too Hollywood-romanticized) Alexander Skarsgård was so perfect as Jonas’ father who went about his business oblivious to what his actual business was. The entire cast made you fully believe the characters and kept you “in” the story.
The only thing I would have changed is Taylor Swift. Her appearance in the film took me right out of the storyline and into “oh look, Taylor Swift is making the transition to film now.” It just took away from the story. I guess Katie Holmes‘ return to the big screen was a bit of that as well, but not as much.
Overall though, I cannot recommend this movie enough as a family outing that everyone can enjoy.
RATING 8 out of 10 
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