This is a powerful movie, potent with its recreation of Holocaust events. Although not based on true happenings, White Bird: A Wonder Story by R.J. Palacio, is a fictional graphic novel that is powerfully portrayed on screen by the actors, the settings, and the music.
The acting is superb, particularly those of Bruce Gheisar as Julian Albans, Ariella Glaser as Sara Blum, and Helen Mirren as Grandmère. Everyone hits the right note.
The ultimate theme is that kindness and light overpower hatred and darkness. At Yates Academy, we see a young man who thinks he’s better than a girl who sits at a table with Julian, the namesake of a young man his grandmother knew years before. And a mean-spirited young man trips a boy who has a physical disability.
When Julian arrives at home he learns his grandmother, called “Grandmère” in the story, has arrived for a visit. Helen Mirren brings her to life. She’s not your typical grandmother. She offers her grandson some wine, who replies, “Grandmère, I’m only 15!” How serious she was isn’t quite clear. Was she joking?
They soon discuss her past and the idea of what is “normal.” “What’s wrong with normal?” asks Julian. “Nothing…and everything,” she replies. The movie’s scenes move to the past, into the time of Hitler and he is mentioned in a newsreel on a movie screen as young people have flocked to see the latest movie release. Then the film cuts to a school, where a young teen boy is made fun of for his limp. He’s been nicknamed “Crab” for how he walks. The film also features a light moment as the teacher is telling her class that “We can’t control time” and then the bell rings!
Sara (young Grandmère) is a gifted artist, and she draws birds and people. One of the boys at her school with an attitude has been caught looking in her sketch pad. She apparently considers him good-looking but his hatred of Jews and his mean-spirited superiority complex will soon be made manifest. When this young man sees the drawing of himself, he says, “It’s good, for a Jew!” And Sara is soon given a muffin at a bakery but told to leave quickly. She then sees the sign on the door that Jews will not be given service.
At dinner Sara listens as her mother and father discuss the Fuehrer’s hatred of the Jews. Her mother insists that “France is France, it’s our country.” Her father, however, speaks of the impending storm that Hitler is bringing to them. Mom does not want Sara to hear this and insists he tell Sara everything will be okay. He does. But soon the coming Holocaust becomes more extreme and closer to home.
In one gripping scene Sara’s teacher is told that German soldiers are coming for the two Jewish kids in her class, one of them being Sara. She and the other girl are ushered quickly out of the class to flee. Sure enough, the soldiers on motorcycles show up. Fortunately, Sara escapes and Julian gives her sanctuary in his parents’ barn. Before this, we see a man shot and it is an omen of the bloodshed yet to come.
In another compelling scene, a puppet show is going on – the Punch and Judy version – and only Jews are punched and made fun of, and the audience laughs. Another store posts the sign: “Jews are not allowed.”
It soon becomes a routine that Julian visits Sara daily in the barn loft and gives her updates about how the war is going. They become closer as he brings her food and talks with her. They even use their imaginations as they get in an old, broken-down car and act as if they are driving to various grand spots such as New York City. And Julian makes shadow figures dance on the barn wall for Sara by using his hands and fingers.
Content Analysis: There are characters in the story who protect the Jews, and who show kindness and help provide for them. Then there is the young man who hates all Jews and joins ranks with the Nazi regime. It’s the same young man Sara drew a picture of. Later, she tears the picture out of her sketchbook in anger. The teacher who was warned about the impending German soldiers arriving gets in the truck with those being taken away, showing an amazing loyalty to her students.
Discussions about the Jewish faith, God, and those who hate others are important discussion points when viewing this film. And the history of the Holocaust and the tremendous pain it caused is also a valuable discussion topic. The content includes a few profanities and some quick scenes of blood (but nothing graphic). The violence includes a solider shooting up at the loft where Sara has been living, and a young man is shot. The film is appropriate for Ages 12+. The writing is tight, and the film contains compelling viewing. But there are scenes which no doubt will cause some viewers sadness. Some characters will survive and some will not.
Think About It: Discussions on hatred in the world today, kindnesses shown, and how we treat others who are different could be very engaging discussion topics.
The movie does contain very sad moments, as well as scary scenes, but it also shows hope, as Grandmère wraps up her story of what happened to herself, Julian, and her parents, and how light overcomes darkness. The quote the movie uses from Martin Luther King is wonderful: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness—only light can do that. The light can stop the injustices of the day.” God is viewed as our hope and light in this movie.
The Dove Take: This incredible movie will move every viewer in some way because it is a story of hope.
