The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Directed by Mark Herman

A story of a son of a high-ranking SS solider, his world is turned upside down when they are forced to move because of his fathers work. The adventurous boy unhappy with his new confined surrounding sneaks out and into the woods, were it becomes apparent what his fathers work in tales. The young boy meets a young jewish boy living on the other side of a barbed fence and begin a friendship that will have startling consciences.

I found this movie to be a really good watch, what I'm beginning to see is that european films do put alot more effort into the character arcs than Hollywood. From 'The Lives of Others' and this movie the characters felt more real than any Hollywood movie I can recall. Its clearly someones's story and they don't distract you with irrelevant casting and plotting, what I'm trying to say is that I am very aware of who's story it is when watching these types of films, than if I was watching a Hollywood piece I could struggle to point out who's story it really was.

Another point would be that I have fallen in love with the style of these films. Every frame is a joy to look at, every detail really has been thought about and put into practice. It all somehow doesn't seem as forced, I'm never really made to feel like I am watching a film. It amerces you into the world they are telling, we don't get sweeping crane shots and such, its simple and very well thought out. Every camera shot really does tell you who's scene it is, were not distracted with a hundred and one other things happening at the same time.

The characters felt abit odd speaking with posh english accents, maybe a ploy to give it more audience appeal. I still would have liked to see it done properly with German, this is the only thing that ever took me out of the film. Maybe a compromise worth living with? not too sure.

Another thing is, I think some of the dialog somewhat seemed like it was preaching to us. Yes its telling a story of humanity and such. It needs to do this, but I did become aware to the almost to forward pushy dialog stating morals. I think it should have trusted the audience a little more and just let the visuals do this.

Apart from this a fantastic well thought out plot that really does play with your emotions, I was never all to aware what was going to happen next. Maybe the family parts left a little by the roadside at parts, but I understand it was the boys story.

I did really enjoy this movie but felt the ending was just a tad predictable, I had clicked on to what was going to happen a long time from the finish. It didn't really take the emotional punch away from it, but maybe if they had not shown their hand as soon. I have in my head a way to re-cut the ending that would do this, but I'd ruin it by saying how.

Over-all a good watch, very visually beautiful, characters felt real even with the odd accents. Maybe just a touch more perl or startling scenes were needed. But this is just a thousand and one ways they could have shot the film. An excellent watch just from its cinematography and story arc.