The Giver, released in theaters on August 15, 2014, is a cinematic adaptation of Lois Lowry’s classic young adult novel. The film is set in a seemingly utopian society known as the Community, where all pain, fear, and emotion have been erased through “Sameness.”
The citizens live in a world of stark black and white, following strict rules and receiving daily injections to suppress their feelings. The story follows Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), a young man who is chosen at the annual Ceremony of Twelve to be the Community’s next Receiver of Memory.
Jonas begins his training with the current Receiver, a wise elder now known simply as the Giver (Jeff Bridges).
The Giver begins to transmit the memories of humanity to Jonas—memories of joy, love, music, and also of war, sorrow, and pain. Through these memories, the world slowly becomes vibrant with color for Jonas. He learns of a past full of beauty and suffering, and the knowledge makes him question the perfect, yet hollow, world around him.
His growing rebellion is met with resistance from figures of authority, including the formidable Chief Elder (Meryl Streep) and his own parents, played by Katie Holmes and Alexander Skarsgård.
The film also features a notable cameo from Taylor Swift as Rosemary, a former trainee.
The film’s strength lies in its visually compelling representation of the transition from a colorless world to one full of emotion and light.
Thwaites delivers a solid performance as Jonas, capturing his character’s journey from naive acceptance to rebellious awareness.
Bridges, who was a driving force behind the film’s production for years, brings a quiet gravitas to his role as the Giver.
Streep provides a chilling and stern presence as the Chief Elder, a role that adds a clear antagonist to the story’s core conflict.
Katie Holmes in The Giver (Photo/The Weinstein Company)
Reception for The Giver
The Giver grossed $12.3 million on its opening weekend, finishing in fifth place at the box office.
The film would gross $66.9 million worldwide.
Legacy
The legacy of The Giver is a complex one. While it was highly anticipated due to the popularity of its source material, the film received mixed reviews.
Many critics felt that it simplified the book’s profound themes and relied on typical young adult dystopian tropes, a genre that was very popular at the time.
Nevertheless, the movie successfully introduced a new generation to Lowry’s powerful story. It remains a visually interesting adaptation that sparks conversation about individuality, free will, and the value of both happiness and pain.
