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Wow, that’s a big gun! Love the expression on the terminator, kinda has that demented ‘I’m gonna kill every single living thing’ look.

“Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.” -John Betjemen.

The Boy In Striped Pyjamas is a story about Bruno, the eight-year-old son of a rising German officer, who gets promoted and is put in charge of an un-named ‘work camp’.  Having to movie his family out of their comfortable lifestyle in Berlin, Bruno’s father isn’t allowed to tell them where they are going or what he will be doing.

It’s doesn’t take long for Bruno to discover a few things however, as his adventurous way finds him befriending a young Jewish boy who he finds on the other side of the fence, down the back of their new home.

It’s a secret friendship that he knows he can’t tell anyone about, especially when Bruno’s father brings in a teacher to ‘teach’ his sister and him.  The State sanctioned teaching is more like propaganda, and whilst his sister swallows the party line, turning from a sweet innocent doll loving daughter, into an adoring fan of Hitler, and staunch hater of Jews, Bruno just day dreams and misses out on most of his ‘education.’

The movie takes a while setting the scene, but this is important as it helps to build up the characters and allows the viewer to enter into the story with ease.  By the time Bruno meets the boy in the striped pyjamas the movie is about half way through and Bruno’s real education is about to start.

Only through his dreamy innocence can Bruno’s friendship with the young Jewish boy blossom, had his teacher managed to indoctrinate him, Bruno’s exploration and discoveries would never have eventuated, and his acts of kindness would never have matured into the movie’s only real example of humanity at it’s best.

The Boy In Striped Pyjamas is a fascinating look at the ease at which we except prejudice and discrimination, using the backdrop of Nazi Germany and Hitler’s Final Solution the film shows us how easily evil can manipulate people into believing what we can, in hindsight, say that no sane person would believe.  The film also shows that despite the enormity of evil, that there will always be people with the courage to stand strong in their beliefs, no matter the scorn or the danger this may lead to.

To say any more about this spellbinding movie risks running into plot spoilers, territory that I’m not willing to movie into.  Beautifully filmed and well acted my only concern going into this movie was the ability of two child actors to carry the most important scenes of the movie.  My concern was ill founded as the two boys were mesmerising, with performances only outdone by Bruno’s mother.

I know it’s early in the year, but I’m gonna come right out and say that The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas is one of the most compelling movies of the year, and one that I whole heartedly encourage you to go and see.

Reviewed by: Jonathan Read.
Rating: TBC.
Duration: 94 mins.
Genre: Drama, War.
Director: Mark Herman.
Actors: Asa Butterfield, Zac Mattoon O’Brien, Domonkos Németh, Henry Kingsmill, Vera Farmiga.
Release Date: 5 March, 2009.

Set in South Carolina in 1964 amidst the hotbed of racial tension and equality, “The Secret Life of Bees” tells the story of a young girl who is trying desperately to find her own identity out of the ashes of a crumbling childhood. Lily (Dakota Fanning) with the aid of her friend and housekeeper Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) escapes from under her abusive father (Paul Bettany) and sets out to find out about the mother whom she hardly remembers and who died under a cloud of strange circumstances when she was just a small child. Following the only clues she has, a picture and a somewhat unconventional picture of Mother Mary, Lily and Rosaleen stumble their way to the house of the Boatwright sisters and the wonderful world of making honey. As the two fugitives bond with the Boatwright sisters the truth begins to unfold and as the saying goes in the end the truth will set you free.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this film, I purposely set out to avoid reading too much about it prior to seeing it so that the story had the possibility of unfolding in a fresh and enjoyable manner. Ironically for the first time in a while it did just that. “The Secret life of bees” is a well paced drama that shows how the truth when wrapped in love can indeed set you free, free to be whom you really are. For a lot of us, who we are, is often dictated to us from our circumstances, our surroundings and our history. However as we see in this film, so often it is only one side of the truth that shapes us and often it is not even truth but half truths that have been sold to us along the way.

This film is filled to the brim with scenes that will lift and shatter your emotions as the journey unfurls before you. From the happy moments as we see August Boatwright (Queen Latifah) share stories of love and joy with Lily, through to great moments of loss and heartache as a world in racial turmoil invades their lives, challenging their peaceful existence.

Now something else you should know about this film is that it is full to overflowing with Soul Sistas. When I say Soul Sister’s I mean wonderfully talented African American singers. Who despite the poles apart different characters are all as equally captivating on the big screen. From Latifa’s “August”, through to Alicia Keys’ “June” and right on through to another wonderful portrayal from American Idol Finalist and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. Whoever did the casting for this film deserves and Oscar of their own for the wonderful ensemble that have pulled together.

I’ll be honest and say that my eyes did well up at times in this film, but judging by the sniffing, the rustling of tissues and the somewhat red eyes after the film, I was not alone. As with all good drama’s, “The Secret Life of Bees” has a true to life blend of great joy and immense loss.

A tiring journey of all the emotions that will leave you too tired to give the standing ovation that you know it deserves.

Reviewed by: Jon E Clist
Releases: 5th March 2009
Rating: TBC
Running time: 110 minutes
Genre: Drama
Starring: Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys & Paul Bettany
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood