Phew! I cannot recall the last time that I shed tears while seeing a movie. It's been such a long while. But this movie made me update that bit. Don't laugh at me.
When I know that a movie has a book adaptation, I usually like to read the book first. The film adaptation sort of waters down and spoils the experience if I had to see it first. For this movie, however, I saw the film first and boy was I boggled for what the book would hold!
I guess there’s no better way to dramatise the popular saying of “What goes around, comes around!” except that in this case a little innocent boy with the heart of an angel got caught up in the line of his father’s duties as a Camp Commandant alongside his friend.
Bruno’s mother’s instincts were strong. I just wish she had acted sooner.
PLOT
Labelled one of the most emotional films of all time, this 2008 film titled “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” follows the story of an eight year old German boy named Bruno (Asa Butterfield) who befriends a Jewish eight year old, Shmuel (Jack Scanlon) who is in a concentration camp.
Both Bruno and Shmuel are oblivious of the realities that take place in the camp.
By the time Bruno’s mum, Elsa (Vera Farmiga) finally got a grip on the goings-on in the new post her husband, Ralf (David Thewlis) holds as a Nazi Commandant, it was seemingly too late.
What transpired? You may ask.
Why not grab your popcorn(i really do not think you’ll be needing it though) and munch along this film (well, for as long as you can till you can’t) and find out as events unfold in this gripping, tea- jerking film.
MY THOUGHTS
*blows nose and wipes face
I guess at the end of the day, the film is a metaphor for “be careful how you treat others.”
This film which is an adaptation of a 2006 historical fiction book by John Boyne, an Irish author, ended in a tragedy.
I haven’t read the book. Hence, I don’t know if the entirety of the book was dramatised or whether some things were added or taken out!
One of such parts is the rather uncomfortable closeness Bruno’s sister, Gretel(Amber Beattie) had with Lieutenant Kotler(Rupert Friend).
That part was not explored further to know if he was taking advantage of her or just superficial attachment.
Also, the film is slow paced and ended abruptly. I wanted to see how Bruno’s father, Ralf will live by himself for the kind of job he did. The expression of emotions there wasn’t sufficient for me.
Call me weird but I actually wanted to shed more tears than I did. Don’t judge me though, cause tears have been proven to be therapeutic in some way. Plus, I've always had a thing with books(or movies) having the cathartic theme.
Overall, this was an emotional watch of what loneliness and the need to find friendship in the strangest of places can cause. All the actors including the children interpreted their roles believably well.
You will enjoy this one but be ready to drown in the emotions that it brings. You can't escape it. Forget about popcorn. Just grab a box of tissue.
You're welcome.
Thanks for gracing this post.
Greetings!
