THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS (2008) (***1/2)

In 2008, some critics hailed this WWII drama as one of the best films of the year, while others called it one of the worst. It's shocking material divided critics, many complaining the film is not for kids as advertised. While I found the film profound, I do agree that this is not a film for small or sensitive children. But for mature kids and adults alike, this story of a German boy befriending a Jewish boy is a moving experience.

The story unfolds through the eyes of Bruno (Asa Butterfield, SON OF RAMBOW), an eight-year-old German boy whose father Ralf (David Thewlis, HARRY POTTER) works as a soldier. We the audience can see he is an SS officer. He has told his family that they must move from the city to the country where he had been reassigned. Bruno and his older sister Gretel (Amber Beattie) are sad to leave their friends. Their mother Elsa (Vera Farmiga, UP IN THE AIR) assures them that they will make new friends. But their fears are justified when they arrive at their new home — a cold looking concrete box in the middle of nowhere.

Turns out they have moved within smoke view of a concentration camp, which is exactly what Elsa didn't want. Bruno stumbles upon the camp and believes it's a farm, and his mother insists that his father not break his illusion. One day he meets a boy in "striped pajamas" on the other side of the fence at the farm. His name is Shmuel (Jack Scanlon) and he knows little about why he's imprisoned at the "farm." Bruno feels sorry for him and brings him food when he can and plays games with the boy.

Part of the criticism the film receives is from its initial premise itself. Could the German son of an SS officer become friends with a Jewish boy on the other side of a concentration camp fence? Probably not. It is the film's one big lie and needs our suspension of disbelief for the whole story to work.

The reason it worked for me was that it understood its characters and has a firm thematic purpose behind its creative licenses. Bruno is an innocent. He has yet to be indoctrinated by anyone. In the city, he simply plays with friends and understands that his father is in the military. But would an SS officer not indoctrinate his son? In this case, I believe so. His wife and mother are not true believers like him, and Elsa becomes repulsed and depressed by him after the move. Once the family is in the world of the concentration camp, things change. Bruno and Gretel get a new teacher who is eager to teach them the evils of the Jew and the superiority of the Arian race. Like any bored eight-year-old Bruno memorizes the words, but not the meaning. He likes Shmuel and he's his only friend, so being Jewish can't be that bad. On the other hand, Gretel takes to the lessons eagerly, especially because it impresses the handsome young SS lieutenant Kotler (Rupert Friend, CHERI). Bruno and Gretel's reactions are based on truthful childhood reactions.

The other reason the premise works is because the film never attempts to make Ralf, the one good SS officer. He is kind and loving to his son, but he is also a murderer. This is where I believe criticisms of the film's historical accuracy fade away. Ralf knows what he is doing and knows how people will react. Look at the propaganda film he shows city civilians. Were people ignorant of the concentration camps — yes. Any adult in the view of the smoke stakes knew differently. But a two-reeler to the city rubes who really don't want to see the truth is good enough. But how does a film like that affect a child like Bruno? This is one of the many hard truths that the film addresses. When your father is evil, what is a boy to do? Can he even believe it when his perspective is so the opposite? Before too long, any problems with the believability of the scenario begin to not matter because the overall truths are too gripping to be bothered.

The conclusion is devastating. But when looking upon it, what other honest way could the film end? Bruno's innocence is what is at stake. He acts like a boy. He does things that are wrong and things that are right like any other boy. He doesn't understand the larger consequences of his actions. When around evil, even innocence can be perverted into some dangerous.