The Giver

Before Divergent. Before The Hunger Games. There was The Giver. A book released in 1993 finally makes its way onto the big screen largely due to Jeff Bridges dedication to the project. But in a world full of Utopian-but-not-really young adult stories, Is there really anything left to....give?



                                                   
Jonas lives in a perfect world. There is no sickness, no racism, no anger or murder. No corruption, lying, or hate. Everyone has a place and purpose. But everything has a price. If you could live in such a world what would you give up? Color? Love? Free Will? Now on the day of his job assignment Jonas is given (heh) the ability to see everything they've lost...and gained. Can he accept the status quo or will he change things forever?


I have to admit that I have never read the Giver. But I will say I feel the need to. There are genuinely compelling questions asked in the Giver and some stunning shots. There where parts that effectively displayed what makes us human. All of our faults and all of our short comings are on display as are our profound capacity to feel and create and love. But... I feel that while asking questions and displaying humanity are all well and good, the payoff is lacking. The last 20 minutes seem rushed. All the pain that Jonas is warned he will experience felt glossed over. So while the Giver does show some
quality entertainment, it could have given so much more. B