a formal review.
(2008) When a historic crime against humanity is told through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy, innocence finds its way through a maze of hate. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”, brought to us by Miramax, is based on the book of the same name written by author John Boyne and adapted by writer/director Mark Herman. Herman brings mostly British actors such as Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, and Jack Scalon to play his characters. The female lead went to Vera Farmiga, an American of Ukrainian ancestry, who we’ve seen in “The Departed” and “The Manchurian Candidate”. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” is a delicately crafted film that demonstrates a boy showing humanity amongst all the evil of the Holocaust.
We follow a young German family who moves to suit the demands of their father’s military duties during World War II. Bruno, the younger of two children, is actively trying to discover his new surroundings far away from his friends and home in Berlin. Even the watchful eyes of his parents and other guardians (some are soldiers) cannot quench the thirst of Bruno’s curiosity. Bruno sees through eyes that only kids choose to see through. He is unapologetically honest and questions everything that doesn’t quite fit. The only thing that he can control about his life is showing up for his new friend, Shmuel.
Much of this ninety-minute ‘Pajamas’ flick is meant to show a perspective that is neither purely combative nor purely victimized. Although rated PG-13, some sensitive thematic events may be difficult to watch even in a story told by a child. Viewers that enjoy narratives or historic settings may find significance in this movie. This life-changing film shows the importance of a child’s lack of prejudice and the unfortunate result of ignorance. Throughout, ‘Pajamas’ is one of the great films of the year.
image: Copyright by respective production studio and/or distributor.
(c) Copyright 2009
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