The Book Thief
Stars: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer
This is a wonderful adaptation of the best-selling book by Australian Markus Zusack. Young Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse) lives with her foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann (Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson) in WWII Nazi Germany. As the film’s title suggests, Liesel is a book thief who shares her plunder with a young Jewish man the family takes in. Soon, Liesel love of books extends to affection for the family’s secret houseguest. All of the actors do a bang-up job in this emotionally layered film. Expect at least one Oscar nomination, perhaps more, since historical subjects are an Academy favorite. –p.d. lee
