Movie Review Madness: The Giver

The Giver is another take on a post-apocalyptic world. This one is very non-war oriented, and yet disturbing.  After “the ruin”, the elders constructed a world of black and white – cookie cutter communities, no lying, all happiness, work, play, and family. It’s all very subdued and controlled. At age eighteen, kids learn their fate – their job future. Jonas is the last kid chosen and he’s given the job of receiver. He shall meet with Jeff Bridges  - “The Giver”  - and shall learn the history, the emotions, the feelings, and everything that’s been controlled and contained to maintain a new society.  

It’s a rather tortured job. Jonas can’t tell anyone the secrets, but he’s feeling so many things and seeing his new world in color.  He learns about music, love, so many other things that can be good or bad and yet have been part of humanity. He sees war and sadness. In bits and pieces he offers suggestions to his favorite girl about how the world could be. He shares things inadvertently with his younger sister. He knows that the old folks who are “released” aren’t really off to retirement playing golf. And little babies who don’t grow at the rate subscribed, are not designated for families. 

Jonas is dangerous. Meryl Streep, as the elder, gives orders for his removal. But Jonas has a mission – to reach beyond the boundaries on the map – and perhaps then the memories of all can be reinstated.  

I really liked the ideas in The Giver. It's well acted and interesting. I did not read the book, and from what I understand they changed some stuff that could annoy readers. I give this a thumbs up. The kids in it are good and Jeff Bridges is always a gem. Sometimes we have to take the good with the bad. A society that controls everything misses out on the little things that make us human.