The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
By Marshall Fine
Rating:
Who's in it: David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga
What's it about: A young German boy during World War II must move with his family when his father gets a new job - as commandant of a death camp.
Provocative: This fable-like story will trigger a wash of conflicting feelings, as the child finds himself caught in a world he doesn't really understand. That's particularly true when he wanders into the woods and finds the camp itself - where he meets a young Jewish boy, who is a prisoner. The two of them become friends, despite the barriers between them, proving that prejudice is something is learned and not in-born. This movie will spark discussions about how children are the victims of their parents' mistakes - even as it leads up to an ending that will shock like no movie in recent memory.
Long story short: This one feels like a punch in the gut.
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