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An uplifting tale set against the horrific backdrop of Nazi Germany, “The Book Thief” has all the markings of shameless Oscar bait, and certain critics have already labeled it as such. But this strange and provocative adaptation of Markus Zusak’s best-seller ably transcends awards-bait write-offs, playing instead as a film with a keen interest in the origins of intolerance, and growing as dark as a movie can while still remaining family-friendly.
The story’s young protagonist is Liesel (Sophie Nélisse), an orphan with communist roots who winds up living with WWI vet Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and his grumpy wife, Rosa (Emily Watson), in the couple’s German cottage. A benevolent pair whose fear makes them put on a good face for Hitler’s minions, Hans and Rosa also take in Max (Ben Schnetzer), an on-the-run Jew who shares the illiterate Liesel’s thirst for knowledge and helps Hans teach her literature and shape her worldview.
Too young to know the dire effects of ignorance, children are the focus of “The Book Thief,” which Michael Petroni writes in a manner that comes within inches of maudlinness before deftly veering, and Brian Percival directs with a sharp eye for warm lighting and striking compositions. At a town book burning, where pages flutter like snow, we see curious Liesel alongside her more complacent friend, Rudy (Nico Liersch), and the Kool-Aid-drinking school bully, Franz (Levin Liam), a Nazi in training. It’s a cross section of the paths indoctrinated kids can take.
Books become the symbolic glue that holds the film together, providing Liesel with the wisdom she needs to overcome calamitous groupthink, and providing the film with unique aspects of great power. Max’s gift to Liesel is a copy of “Mein Kampf” with the pages whited out, so Liesel can fill the book with healthier words. And guiding the story itself, as narrator, is Death (Roger Allam), who ultimately functions as a tolerance reminder. Nazis and their supporters may blind themselves to it, but “The Book Thief” is compassionately hip to the great equalizer, even putting him at the wheel to propel the plot.
The Book Thief
PG-13
Three reels out of four
Opens tomorrow at the Ritz Five
Recommended Rental
Crystal Fairy
Not rated
Available Tuesday
A mad curio of a road trip comedy, Sebastián Silva’s “Crystal Fairy” follows irksome Jamie and his Chilean pals as they strive to obtain a special cactus and get high on its juices at the beach. En route, they meet the titular mystery woman (a stupendous Gaby Hoffman), who teaches Jamie a bit about getting outside himself. Both weird and humane, the film is a must for those in search of the offbeat.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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