LAMORINDA WEEKLY | "The Book Thief"


Liesel (Sophie N�lisse) reads to Max (Ben Schnetzer), who's hiding in her home. Photo Jules Heath TM and (c) 2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Not for sale or duplication.

"The Book Thief" is a film based on the international best-selling novel by Markus Zusak that tells the story of Liesel, an adopted girl in World War II Germany who is intrigued by the only book she brought with her to her new home. This book inspires her to begin collecting other books as she is taught to read by her adopted father and a young Jewish man the family is secretly hiding in their basement.

The talented cast makes "The Book Thief" a winner. The young gifted actress, Sophie Neilisse, impressively portrays Liesel, who many of you will recall from her role in the 2012 Oscar nominated film "Monsieur Lazhar," which also won the 14th Annual California Independent Film Festival Best Picture. I predict many quality roles for Sophie as she continues to grow as an actor. Liesel's adopted parents are Hans (Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (two-time Oscar nominee Emily Watson). Hans is a character that audiences will find pleasant, lovable and caring. Rosa on the other hand will have to grow on you, but give her some time. Both Rush and Watson deliver Oscar nominated performances.

Although the movie takes place in a horrific time period in history, the screenplay adapted by Michael Petroni ("The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader") adds a touch of humor in the scenes between husband and wife, Hans and Rosa. Hans' quick wit will have you laughing as he reluctantly interacts with Rosa. The humor is well placed throughout the film.

Brian Percival, an Emmy Award winning director ("Downton Abbey") directed "The Book Thief" that has a TRT (total running time) of 2 hours and 11 minutes. It is rated PG13 for some violence and intense depictions of WWII.

Derek Zemrak is a film critic, film producer and founder of the California Independent Film Festival. You can follow Derek on Twitter @zemrak for the latest Hollywood news. Derek can be heard every Friday on KAHI 950AM on the Poppoff Show.