Movie Review: “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”

This movie is based on a John Boynes children’s novel. The story centers on the odd friendship between the son of a WWII German concentration camp, Bruno, and an eight year old Jewish inmate, Schmuel.

Bruno moves with his sister and parents from the hustle and bustle of wartime Berlin to an isolated house near a concentration camp. Boredom drives Bruno to the edge of the camp where he meets Schmuel. Despite the electrified wire separating them, the two strike up a close friendship. Ethnic and familial ties are tried throughout the story.

The author and director’s attempt to portray the story through the innocent eyes of a child is quite elegant. I was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful development of the children’s relationship despite the stresses of war and family discord. The plot was somewhat predictable. We were spared the gore of yet another holocaust movie. The cinematography and score were above average.