The themes of this film (based on the 1994 Newbery Award winning book of the same name written by Lois Lowry) seem all too familiar in how today’s politicians, religious organizations and governments seem to attempt reaching a world of collective complacent conformity shrouded as happiness.
A futuristic dystopian science-fiction film presenting a future devoid of emotion and freedom of choice where everything is systemic in nature: birth, education, profession, even death is predetermined and free will, emotion, feeling and choice are things of the past.
With an all-star cast beautifully portraying characters navigating this reality (Meryl Streep, Alexander Scarsgard, Katy Holmes, Jeff Bridges, Odeya Rush and Brenton Thwaites) in a beautifully cinematic and carefully thought out colour vs black and white direction of art, ‘The Giver’ (2014) is a rare find that blends narratives of past, present and future with both warnings and hope for the world we exist within today.