The Giver

Not sure why I'm giving it a 2 but suffice to say this movie was SO bad. I don't understand the wide discrepancy of reviews. Those who thought it was the best thing ever must have been extras or something and want the movie to succeed. I did not read the book. My daughter, who did, came along (she's 14) and she could barely stand to remain until it finished. Even without have read the book, the story was flawed on so many levels, the acting was average at best. It was just a dull, lifeless movie. Don't waste your time or your $$.

"The Giver" is one of my favorite books, my eighth grade self could feel the emotions of Jonas as he received his first memories, cringe as his friends became unscathed by murder, and in awe as he watched a colorless apple turn red. The movie explores the concept of losing touch with emotion- in a way that was better than I expected. I thought my fantasy of making "The Giver" come to life exactly as I had imaged it would take hold and send me wining about how "I could have made a better movie!" Well, it did give life to the book, although it was through different ways (like a kiss, the nursery for babies, or a punch)- ways that were more appealing to an audience visually. I do wish the red apple had been the first color to appear- oh well! I was a little sad at not keeping the sense of complete mystery as to what happens to Jonas's town after he crosses the border of memories. Also, frequent flashes of memories distracted me at times (like what am I watching again?), but they did give insight into Jonas's onset of new thoughts- the movie would feel bleak without them. It seems I left the theater believing in the necessity of feeling all emotions, and relieved for the fictional society of no memories having to deal with life itself! A thought-provoking movie I am glad to have seen. After all if you can't feel, what's the point?

are the current movie directors, producers, writers and all other people involved into creative part of making movies/writing books really that empty inside, unimaginative, lacking of any taste in recognizing a good story? Even worse, are WE such ??? The movie is at it's best moments compilation of "best of youtube" short captions (very best ones i admit) and thats all good i can say about the movie (beside descent acting). The plot, the action, the nuisance, or a reason to give it more thought longer than past the final credits, you won't get from it. It's flat, boring, kind of a copy of that other teenager movie that was released recently that seemed almost identical to this one, of which the name i don't even remember and don't bother to check it on another tab of my browser (this is how worthless i consider it). they should make a movie from time to time about how story tellers burn out and serve such a timewaster, and marketing guys, and critics (possibly lobbied (you noticed how i used work "lobbied", yes that a nice word, politically correct;)- otherwise how such movie could get graded over 3/10). 1.5hour of my life i'll never get back. just go watch something you've already seen before, let it be LOTR, Tears of the sun, Married with Children episode, or just take nice evening walk, you'll at least have a chance to enjoy the time, not like i had with this ... moving picture. its all you can call it

If you think that the world that George Orwell created in 1984 was a rigid one they were positively hedonistic compared to the society shown in The Giver. Playing the title role is Jeff Bridges who is called that because he has a very special duty to be the one entrusted with the memories of the past. The ruling body of the society has to be able to refer to the past to be guided in making decisions. But we can't have everyone knowing about lest they long for the good things of the past. It's all been abolished the good and the bad, conformity and sameness is the order of things. Color is not even allowed everyone wears drab clothing like they were in prison. The family is abolished, kids are born and then assigned to nurturers, women particularly go into that occupation and it is an occupation like being a plumber. A new group of young people are being given new assignments and young Brendon Thwaites sits eagerly awaiting his occupation. He gets the prize as he is chosen to be the Receiver of all the past knowledge from Bridges. His training is to telepathically connect with Bridges all the experiences of the past, the good and the bad. The use of color in film is never thought of this day, it's simply assumed that films now will be photographed that way. But The Giver takes its place along side Schindler's List and Pleasantville in using color sparingly and to make a point. Color comes into Thwaites world as it has been in Bridges' and the equation of knowledge with color is a point well made. When Thwaites decides that there's something more out there than what he's grown up with, society shakes. None other than chief elder Meryl Streep wants measures to be taken to stop Thwaites from questioning the order of things. Thwaits, Streep, and Bridges head a cast that tells a thought provoking tale of curiosity and rebellion and curiosity in seeking something better always proceeds rebellion. The film ends abruptly and I suspect there's some box office soundings being taken to see if a sequel is to be made. I hope one is, but if it's not The Giver can certainly stand on its own.