Currently watching it. Second time (or third) of watching. First was years ago, probably 2009/10. I remember finding it fun at his adventures and then very upsetting. But now after fully realising what happened I'm finding I can't enjoy this film. It is ok. I can see what the writer was going for, focusing on a Nazi/SS family and having an outsiders look on it all, but it all still feels very tamed down. I think it should have been more gritty, and we as an audience know from the film itself (not just in general knowledge, just what film tells us) exactly what was happening so we are scared of Bruno finding out himself, and also somehow envy him.
I feel the film almost tries to hide how big of an event it is. It kind of glosses over a lot. It wants to say a lot but I never feel it kind of finishes what it wants to say in every 'point' or idea.
I kind of also think while watching it now, why should I care for this family? I feel they are kind of a stock mother character, stock son and daughter and stock father character. Knowing what I know from life in general of history lessons and documentaries why should I care what happens to Bruno and his family after? I can see the writer was presumably saying that what happened was very horrific and tried to compare it happening to a German family instead and that it would be awful whoever it is it effects. But still the point stands, why should I care about one family and one child when that child is the son of a major Nazi officer?
I feel that for a film that wants to raise awareness once again about the holocaust, it should do it strongly and not gloss over things. Yes, it can be from the point of view from German family but don't feel it should be as mild over-all (even with the ending!).
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