See It at the Movies

THE GIVER

with Joyce & Don Fowler
Posted 8/20/14

THE GIVER

* * *

(Teen sci-fi)

Brenton Thwaites stars as Jonas, the teenage Receiver who has been chosen by the leader of the Elders (Meryl Streep) to be the only one in their futuristic …

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See It at the Movies

THE GIVER

Posted

THE GIVER

* * *

(Teen sci-fi)

Brenton Thwaites stars as Jonas, the teenage Receiver who has been chosen by the leader of the Elders (Meryl Streep) to be the only one in their futuristic community to receive the past history from “The Giver” (Jeff Bridges).

Taken from a popular young adult novel, “The Giver” often looks like one the many past movies of this genre. Once again, the teenagers are out to save the world from restrictions and boundaries placed on them by the adults.

Upon graduation from childhood, each teen is assigned a lifetime job, ranging from nurturer to drone pilot (jobs assigned to Jonas’’ two best friends.) Everyone takes daily medication to control emotions and make them forget about the past. They go about their business being “happy” and never questioning the past.

The Giver imparts a little too much history on Jonas, who starts to question his elders as he becomes more and more inquisitive and rebellious.

Jason escapes beyond the borders of his controlled community and is chased down by his friend, the Drone Pilot, while his other friend, Fiona, is starting to see the light and is about to be sent to “Elsewhere,” another name for death.

Will Jonas succeed? Will the world be saved?

While there are many similarities in the plot, director Phillip Noyce has added a few interesting touches. The movie begins in black and white, allegorically conveying a black and white futuristic world, but as Jonas becomes more aware, he starts seeing things in color. A red apple against a black and white room is quite startling.

Young people who have read the novel will probably get more out of the movie than us older folks. And there are some good messages about showing your emotions, especially love.

Rated PG-13 with some violence.

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