On Nov. 7, 20th Century Fox will release "The Book Thief" hoping to gain Oscar momentum.
The film, based on the popular novel by Markus Zusak, tells the story a young girl Liesel who lives through the horrors of World War II Germany. During the war she finds comfort by stealing books and sharing them with others. Under the stairs in her home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her adoptive parents.
The film is being campaigned as an Oscar contender even though it lacks buzz and attention from many pundits. Fox hopes that an early release will make people aware in order to get a healthy box office. Additionally, the studio hopes it will make critics aware so it can qualify for Critics Circle awards, which will begin being announced in the coming weeks. However, the film has received a mixed reception and is not tracking well for its limited release.
Lou Lumenick from the New York Post gave the film a positive review and stated, "Overall, it's engaging and serves its young audience well - a rare Holocaust movie that doesn't strain to become Oscar bait."
Peter Travers from Rolling Stone gave the film three stars out of four and wrote, "If there can be such a thing as a sweet, reflective fable about death and the Holocaust, 'The Book Thief' is it."
However, Stephen Farber of the Hollywood Reporter wrote, "There is much to admire in Percival's film version, but you may come away more impressed by the intentions than by the achievements."
Jordan Hoffman of Film.com also disliked it and wrote, "An embarrassing gut-punch of unfiltered schmaltz."
"The Book Thief" was directed by Brian Pecival and stars Emily Watson, Geoffrey Rush and newcomer Sophie Nelisse. The movie opens in four theaters and is rated PG-13 for some violence.