Based on the Young Adult novel by Lois Lowry, a near two decade passion project for actor Jeff Bridges, The Giver is yet another in what has become a bit of a glut in science fiction films set in a dystopian future. In a sense it’s unfortunate, because The Giver was published a little more than twenty years ago, beating out books like The Hunger Games and Divergent by a considerable margin. Veronica Roth, the author of Divergent, has even said that she was inspired by The Giver. Unfortunately, when it comes to films, most don’t care which book came first. Whomever gets to the Cineplex first will get points for originality.

Unfortunately, while all three films essentially celebrate diversity, there isn’t a whole lot to distinguish them from each other. The Giver takes place in a society where uniformity is celebrated. After an unexplained catastrophe, said society rebuilt itself with a strict set of rules governing every aspect of their lives, making personal decisions unnecessary. All human beings are assigned their life’s work tasks when they complete their education. On the eve of their graduation, friends Jonas (Brendan Thwaites), Fiona (Odeya Rush), and Asher (Cameron Monaghan), prepare themselves for job selection, with The Chief Elder (Meryl Streep). Jonas is ordered to become a Receiver of Memories. As such, he is assigned to The Giver (Jeff Bridges), the only person in society allowed to break the strict rules, and hold a knowledge and understanding of history.

During their months of occasionally tense sessions, Jonas is introduced to such previously foreign concepts as color, pain, war, death, and inevitably love, all of which had been removed from society, ostensibly for the good of the people. Completely overwhelmed by all these new sensations, he wants others to experience their own realizations. It’s not long before Jonas finds himself confronting his friends about what he knows, going against The Chief Elder. And breaking every rule in the name of what he believes to be right.

The Giver explores our basic willingness to conform in order to be accepted. This is a theme seen in several movies of late, and done with much more insight. Director Philip Noyce and screenwriters Michael Mitnick and Robert Weide do a disappointing job of world–building, never providing the kind of descriptive details that would make it all seem believable. It seems as though they approached the film under the assumption that all viewers would have read Lois Lowry’s novel.

As far as the acting goes, the great Meryl Streep is largely wasted in her bland performance as The Chief Elder, but compared to the wooden performance of Brendan Thwaites, she’s a revelation. He took societies rule of no emotion to heart! He is just stiff beyond belief. Other cast members such as Katie Holmes, and Alexander Skarsgard are required to be emotionally stilted as well, but they manage to maintain a sense of humanity. In the midst of all this emotional dullness, leave it to Jeff Bridges to show off his usual charisma and a twinkle in his eye. Watch for Taylor Swift in a brief cameo as the Receiver of Memory who preceded Jonas.

Though not a particularly successful adaptation of a classic Young Adult novel, The Giver still offers some thought provoking ideas about conformity versus individuality.

Framed in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio, this 1080p transfer shows an outstanding level of sharpness throughout. Blacks and whites are superior, and handle the gradual insertion of color expertly. Flesh tones appear natural, and lifelike. Image quality is rather strong throughout.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound mix provides a wide range for Marco Beltrami’s expansive score filling the fronts and rears with a full, vibrant sound. Dialogue has been cleanly recorded, and placed in the center channel. Sound effects are spread throughout the soundstage, adding excitement to the action on screen.

English SDH, and Spanish subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • Highlights from the Original Script Reading Featuring Lloyd Bridges (SD, 39:47) Jeff Bridges presents a home movie containing highlights from a reading of The Giver from near twenty years ago.
  • Making The Giver: From Page to Screen (HD, 21:39) Novel author Lois Lowry, screenwriters Michael Mitnick and Robert Weide, director Phillip Noyce, producer Nikki Silver, and actors Jeff Bridges, Brenton Thwaites, Katie Holmes, Meryl Streep, and Alexander Skarsgård offer their thoughts on some of the issues in bringing this material to the screen, changes, themes, etc.
  • Extended Scene (HD, 9:23) Jonas’ Harrowing Journey.
  • Press Conference with Filmmakers & Cast (HD, 35:31) A panel including Lois Lowry, Jeff Bridges, Robert Weide, Phillip Noyce, Taylor Swift, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes, Odeya Rush, Brenton Thwaites, Cameron Monaghan, Emma Tremblay, Nikki Silver, and Michael Mitnick answer a number of questions. From New York on August 12, 2014.
  • “Ordinary Human” Feature with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder (HD, 2:43) The musician discusses his contribution to the soundtrack.
  • Author Lois Lowry on The Giver (1080p, 3:35) The author discusses how the novel came about, changes made for the film, and possible re-writes she would like to consider.
  • Study Guide (1080p): Viewers may select from several options and are presented with a scene synopsis, subjects and themes listings, allusions to where the scene may be found in the book, a teacher guide, and the option to play the corresponding clip from the film.
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