The Boy In The Striped Pajamas

The kind of movie that makes me wonder why I go to artsy movies, the kind of movie that helps me to understand why I go to artsy movies. The kind of movie that makes me think that I should stay away from movies for a while, the kind of movie that makes want to go to another movie. Conflicting emotions? How did you ever guess?

The most dramatic, intense, troubling, emotionally nerve-wracking, conflicting, scene in any movie in years. Emotionally gut wrenching as it is thought provoking. If you walk away from this movie without shedding a tear you will be the exception. If you get up immediately and leave when the movie ends you will be the exception.

Shindler's List was in a class by itself. Not far behind was Life Is Beautiful joined now by the English film, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas. The Boy In The Striped Pajamas is based on the book by Irish author John Boyne. The movie was the winner of three British Independent Film awards; Best Actress Vera Farmiga, Best Director, Mark Herman, and Most Promising Newcomer, Asa Butterfield.

The Synopsis from Moviefone: "'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' is a fictional story that offers a unique perspective on how prejudice, hatred and violence affect innocent people, particularly children, during wartime."

"The imagined story of Bruno (Asa Buttefield) and Shmuel (Zac Mattoon O'Brian) sheds light on the brutality, senselessness and devastating consequences of war from an unusual point of view. Together, their tragic journey helps recall the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust."

Well acted but I think the British Independent Film Awards got it wrong. The actor that played the young Jewish friend should have won the award as best newcomer. Both he and Asa Butterfield deserved recognition as did the director and Vera Farmiga.

Five footballs. One football for a child should lead us. One for Asa Butterfield. One for Zac O'brian. One For Vera Farmiga. One for David Hayman as Jewish doctor Pavel.