The Giver (2014)

In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world.

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writers:

Michael Mitnick (screenplay), Robert B. Weide (screenplay)

Stars:

Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Bridges	...	The Giver
Meryl Streep	...	Chief Elder
Brenton Thwaites	...	Jonas
Alexander Skarsgård	...	Father
Katie Holmes	...	Mother
Odeya Rush	...	Fiona
Cameron Monaghan	...	Asher
Taylor Swift	...	Rosemary
Emma Tremblay	...	Lilly
Alexander Jillings	...	Gabriel 12 Months
James Jillings	...	Gabriel 12 Months
Jordan Nicholas Smal	...	Gabriel 3 Months
Saige Fernandes	...	Gabriel 6 Months
Renate Stuurman	...	Dinah
Vanessa Cooke	...	Elder

Storyline

After The Ruin, a civil but colorless, drug-dampened, equalitarian society eschewing memories of the past emerged, where everyone followed established rules of politeness enforced by a council of ever-watchful Elders. On the ceremonious day of graduation, teenagers leaving childhood are assigned careers chosen by the Elders. Jonas, who feels different from his appointed parents and his two best friends, Fiona and Asher, finds himself assigned to the rare position of Receiver of Memories, trained by a mentor (later called The Giver), who telepathically imparts memories of the world before The Ruin. Jonas learns emotions such as love, fear, excitement, loss and the concept of family, but when the planned elimination of a baby named Gabriel, whom he comes to love as a brother, enters his awareness, Jonas decides society needs to change, which the Chief Elder will do anything to stop.

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Plot Keywords:

community | black and white segues into color | memory | future | dystopia | 

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Taglines:

You can make things better.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a mature thematic image and some sci-fi action/violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

South Africa Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

El dador de recuerdos

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,305,016, 15 August 2014, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$45,089,048, 5 December 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tonik Productions, Asis Productions, Canada Film Capital

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Meryl Streep shot some of her scenes in England during breaks in filming Into the Woods (2014).

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Goofs

One wonders at the physical state of Jonas, particularly his feet, in walking up and over the snowy mountain in nothing but summer clothing and gym shoes (especially after passing out from exhaustion in the snow after his trek through the desert).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: From the ashes of The Ruin, the Communities were built. Protected by the Boundary. All memories of the past were erased.
Jonas: After The Ruin we started over, creating a new society, one of true equality. Rules were the building blocks of that equality. We learned them as Newchildren. Rules like: use precise language, wear your assigned clothing, take your morning medication, obey the curfew, never lie.
Jonas: My name is Jonas. I don't have a last name. None of us did. That day, the day before ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Jeff Bridges/Ali Larter/Andy Woodhull (2014)

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Soundtracks

Ordinary Human
Written by Ryan Tedder
Performed by OneRepublic
Courtesy of Mosley Music/Interscope Records

User Reviews

Interesting Premise

After The Ruin, a colorless equalitarian society is formed without memories and everyone follows rules established by the Chief Elder (Meryl Streep) and the Elders. The population uses drugs to stay happy and on the day of the graduation, the teenagers leave their childhood and are assigned to a career chosen by the Elders. Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) lives with his parents and has two best friends, Fiona (Odeya Rush) and Asher (Cameron Monaghan), and he feels different from his friends. He is assigned to be the Receiver of Memories and he is trained by his mentor, The Giver (Jeff Bridges), who gives memories of the world before The Ruin. Jonas learns emotions such as love and fear and the concept of family. When he discovers that the baby Gabriel that he loves as a brother will be eliminated, he decides to change his society but the Chief Elder will do anything to stop him.

"The Giver" is a film with a story with and interesting premise about a "perfect emotionless society". The execution seems to be a combination of the black and white of "Pleasantville", "Brave New World" and the lack of emotions through the use of drugs of "Equilibrium" for teens. The result is a reasonable and forgettable movie, with poor development of the characters and situation. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "O Doador de Memórias" ("The Memories's Donator")