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

3 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

A youth named Jonas lives in an equalized, literally colorless, but pleasant society with no knowledge of love or pain and such. When he and his best friends Asher and Fiona come of age, they receive their societal roles, with Jonas given the rare position of Receiver (of Memories). Because of this, he meets a mentoring elder Receiver (later called The Giver). They look at memories of the past world, of joy, of pain, and of love. As Jonas receives these memories, he breaks the cardinal rule against sharing them with others, thereby getting in trouble with the watchful Chief Elder. When Jonas discovers that an infant boy named Gabriel will be terminated, his efforts to save the child puts him squarely against his society. Deciding that all must re-learn to see color, to feel pain, and to show and receive love, Jonas becomes public enemy number one.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

You can make things better.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Brenton Thwaites was twenty-four years old during filming. This is exactly twice the age his character was in the original novel.

---

Goofs

When Jonas first reaches the top of the snowy mountain, he checks his map. The antique paper map is in pristine condition, despite having been completely submerged underwater on a long journey through multiple climates which would have severely worn it.

---

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 ...
[...]

---

Connections

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

---

Soundtracks

The Holly and the Ivy
Traditional, music first published by Cecil J. Sharp, arranged by H. Walford Davies

User Reviews

The Giver

When I saw the title I asked myself what we give. When I saw the movie I asked myself what we have given up.

The simple and clear message in the movie is what makes it interesting and good. I saw so many simple things explained in such a profound way. Things such as friendship, family, love, emotions, humanity.

After all this is a great movie that shows what humanity is all about. What emotions are, how we see the world because of them. About what is right or wrong. What we sacrifice to create one Utopia. We see in this movie the good in people, but we also can see the cruelty that we are capable of.

To be completely honest, I saw a little resemblance with another movie. Despite that, It is a movie that I wanted to watch again.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official Twitter

Country:

South Africa Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Giver

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,305,016, 17 August 2014

Gross USA:

$45,090,374

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$66,980,456

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