The Giver (2014) Trailer

For years and years, people wanted an on-screen adaptation of Lois Lowry’s beloved dystopian utopia The Giver — I was one of those begging for Alfonso Cuaron to direct it. I read it in Spanish, it’s the only book the school ever recommended that has surpassed its school-life to make me want to read it again in English and complete the trilogy. Yes, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis or Camus’ L’Étranger weren’t as lucky, though I do enjoy re-reading them.

When I read that Phillip Noyce would be directing it, my heart sank a little bit- bless Salt and all. Meryl Streep and the Chief Elder and Jeff Bridges as the titled The Giver were promising choices, but the rest of the cast felt… so underwhelming. Moreover, the first few images didn’t tease me the way the marketing of a favorite property should.

The trailer seems to follow that idea…

For those who have no idea what the story is about, it’s supposed to follow a boy named Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) who becomes of age in this utopian world, and is chosen to become a Receiver of Memory from a man known as The Giver, which unleashes a string of events that will unmask some of the darkest secrets that shroud his world.

The utopian aspect of the art direction seems… so uninspired. I certainly didn’t picture the story with so much sci-fi, but at least they could’ve chosen to wow us with their tech village superiority, no? A society so pitch-perfect in its structure that is inviting to us.

Plus, Jonas is a boy!

*sighs* Harvey~

Anyway, the rest of the cast is rounded up by Katie Holmes, Alexander Skarsgård, Taylor Swift, Cameron Monaghan, Odeya Rush and Emma Tremblay. The Giver is supposed to open on August 15 this year.