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The Giver: New Film Warns of Big Government Utopia
Last weekend, I attended the Red State Gathering in Texas, and had the good fortune to attend a screening of upcoming film The Giver, based on Lois Lowry’s classic book. It was, and I don’t say this lightly, an absolute must-see.
Set in an land of the future, the world of the giver is a big government Utopia, a land where everyone and everything is kept equal. One’s life is completely planned from conception to death, and members of society are kept complacent and unquestioning. This is for their protection, they are told, this equality keeps them safe from so many unpleasant situations and emotions. This pre-determined life without conflict remains unquestioned. That is, until our teenaged hero Jonas discovers that there is more. This one boy, learning the truth, is then determined to wake up his world, to make a change.
Rated PG-13, The Giver is a film that adults will enjoy, too. Although the film centers on an 18-year-old hero and his friends, it is the story of an entire society, and one with an important message that deals with heavy issues in a delicate and tasteful way. Never heavy-handed, the movie simply tells a great story that is both a cautionary tale and a true story of hope; the difference that one person can make. There are three more books in the series, and I truly hope that this film does well enough for the studio to put all of them on the silver screen. I hesitate to give many more details, not only because I loathe spoilers, but because it is such a great story that I want viewers to experience it as it unfolds.
The Giver hits theaters Friday, and I recommend that you take your kids and their friends, even if they’re too cool to sit with you.
Published in General
Looks like a cross between “Pleasantville” and “Logan’s Run”. I’ll have to see it.
Hey, this post was by Jon Gabriel a few hours ago! ;-)
I saw the preview recently and knew I was going to see it. Dystopian futures with teenage protagonists are kind of a thing now, but this didn’t look at all like a angst-filled pandering YA novel at all.
Yes, indeed. It’s not pandering at all, I really enjoyed it. I’ll admit that I love The Hunger Games, too, but this will likely appeal more to the grown ups among us. :-)
*shakes fist at Jon*