The Book Thief

A mostly-successful adaptation of the book – which many have compared to greats like ”The Diary of Anne Frank” and ”Slaughterhouse-Five” – of the same name.

What Brian Percival’s film lacks in punch, it makes up for in weighty performances, breathtaking cinematography, and an effective – though tad heavy-handed – narrative.

For the uninitiated, “Book Thief” tells the story of Liesel Meminger, beginning when she is nine years old and wrestling with death of her brother and separation from her mother. She has been adopted by foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann, and forced to relocate with them to their home in Molching. When the young girl starts school, she finds herself immediately teased for not being able to read. Knowing it’s time she learnt, Liesel has Hans teach her during midnight lessons in the basement. Soon, new friends are made, and all is well for Meminger… until the Nazi party’s presence in the city increases.

While Sophie Nelisse makes for a terrific Liesel, it’s Australia’s Geoffrey Rush who steals the show as Hans.

DVD : Extras include deleted scenes, interviews, and a featurette that chronicles the making of the movie.