Based on a true story: the title character, Antonina Zabinska (Jessica Chastain) assists her husband Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh) in caring for the Warsaw Zoo, showing great affection and connection with the animals. After Germany invades Poland in 1939, the couple work together to smuggle Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to live in hidden spaces of the zoo and their home.
This particular Holocaust story is certainly worthy of being told. It is in the same vein as "Schindler's List" in which citizens risk their own safety and lives to help others in great need.
The trouble for "The Zookeeper's Wife" is perhaps in its timing. The best films in the Holocaust genre (including "Schindler's List") have raised the bar so high that it becomes more and more difficult to meet, let alone surpass, existing levels of greatness. The most recent great examples include "Phoenix" and "Son of Saul"- each released within the last three years.
The English language is used in the film and spoken with Polish accents. While this helps to add authenticity, it is sometimes difficult to understand when the actors are speaking softly.
The directing style in "The Zookeeper's Wife" (by Niki Caro who did a great job with "Whale Rider") is perhaps too standard though the same could be said of the screenplay by Angela Workman based on the book by Diane Ackerman. The early scenes of the invasion and the ghetto are powerful. And who couldn't envy Chastain as she provides affection for a couple of adorable lion cubs. While we can feel tension in the movie's second half, the overall effect just doesn't match those of other films on this subject. There seems to be an emotional distance between the characters and the audience.
Had this film been released over a decade ago, it might have fared better. But compared to similar films of this era and earlier, it comes up wanting.
This particular Holocaust story is certainly worthy of being told. It is in the same vein as "Schindler's List" in which citizens risk their own safety and lives to help others in great need.
The trouble for "The Zookeeper's Wife" is perhaps in its timing. The best films in the Holocaust genre (including "Schindler's List") have raised the bar so high that it becomes more and more difficult to meet, let alone surpass, existing levels of greatness. The most recent great examples include "Phoenix" and "Son of Saul"- each released within the last three years.
The English language is used in the film and spoken with Polish accents. While this helps to add authenticity, it is sometimes difficult to understand when the actors are speaking softly.
The directing style in "The Zookeeper's Wife" (by Niki Caro who did a great job with "Whale Rider") is perhaps too standard though the same could be said of the screenplay by Angela Workman based on the book by Diane Ackerman. The early scenes of the invasion and the ghetto are powerful. And who couldn't envy Chastain as she provides affection for a couple of adorable lion cubs. While we can feel tension in the movie's second half, the overall effect just doesn't match those of other films on this subject. There seems to be an emotional distance between the characters and the audience.
Had this film been released over a decade ago, it might have fared better. But compared to similar films of this era and earlier, it comes up wanting.