StudioCanal
Lois Lowry’s landmark YA novel was a massive part of growing up in the era of Jurassic Park. It’s taken a long time to see The Giver in movie form, but it’s finally here with Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep leading the charge into the perfect future.
For those who haven’t read the book, it takes place in a pristine, peaceful society, but like in all too-goo-to-be-truetopias, they’ve traded something fundamental for what they consider happiness. Namely, they store emotions, memories of the past, and really any experiences that don’t land on the middle axis inside a single member of society called The Receiver (Bridges). When a young boy named Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) is chosen to take over the job, he learns the true nature of pain, pleasure and the high cost of a uniform society.
Check out the trailer for yourself and be wooed by all the Oscar caliber acting:
Like “1984,” “Brave New World” and plenty of other anti-fascist/pro-individuality works, the hallmarks are all present in “The Giver.” It’s unique because of the audience its addressing, so it’ll be interesting to see whether the movie – directed by a post-Salt Phillip Noyce – holds on to those ideals told in that language.
At the very least, it looks like it’s gotten a generic sci-fi sheen to it courtesy of every futuristic movie made after 2010. Hopefully the heart will be protected against all the action.
The Giver hits theaters August 15th.