The Zookeeper's Wife

The Zookeeper's Wife, a poignant symphony of courage and compassion. Jessica Chastain's performance as Antonina Zabinska was a masterclass in emotional depth, breathing life into a character whose strength resonated long after the credits rolled. The film editing wove a seamless narrative, navigating the delicate balance between heart-wrenching moments and the glimmers of hope that defined the Zabinskis' wartime experience. The movie's strength lies in its ability to portray the resilience of the human spirit amidst the darkest of times. While it occasionally felt like certain aspects were touched upon too lightly, the music served as a gentle yet powerful undertone, enhancing the emotional impact. The cinematography painted a vivid portrait of both the beauty and brutality of war-torn Warsaw. At 7/10, The Zookeeper's Wife is a moving testament to humanity's capacity for kindness in the face of adversity.

I enjoyed The Zookeeper's Wife and would recommend it to most audiences. Skillful direction by Niki Caro, excellent sets and costumes, a slightly washed-out look to the cinematography which nonetheless has a full range of color, and a capable cast. The story is based on the actions of the owners of the Warsaw Zoo, who saved the lives of more than three hundred Jews during the Nazi occupation of Poland.

Nonetheless, the performance of Jessica Chastain is the single most important factor in the film. Unlike many American actors, she understands that a Polish woman of the 1940s does not look, move, or carry her features like a contemporary American. So fully does Miss Chastain inhabit her character that I never had the sense of an actress making choices.

The film is a bit long and a bit slow, like most films today, but not to a damaging extent. I particularly admired the way that the official from the Berlin Zoo who becomes a Nazi officer, well played by Daniel Bruhl, has certain scruples and personal moral standards although he embraces the Nazi philosophy. He's a villain, but not a cardboard villain, and part of the suspense of the film is waiting to see which lines he will cross and which he won't.

A film with promising actors and based upon an incredible true story, however didn't fill up to its high expectations, sadly.

Something that always troubles me, is feeling the need to speak English with an accent to show that they're actually speaking another language. It's in fact ridiculous, knowing that Johan Heldenbergh is pure Belgian (and actually speaks English with a Flemish/Ghent accent) and Jessica Chastain is pure American (her English/polish accent is just ridiculous). Either you just speak plain English or you make the movie with Polish actors. Besides that, Johan Heldenbergh, the zookeeper, (world-renown in Belgium but his first introduction in a bigger US production), was impeccable & perfectly casted.

The film didn't blow me away and was predictable from beginning till the end. Fairly enjoyable for a regular weeknight if you have nothing to do, but will most certainly be forgotten the next day - not anywhere near classic holocaust movies like Schindler's list or The Pianist. Too bad, cause everything was there (especially book & script) to make a much stronger impact.

Firstly, I'm quite shocked by the negative reviews. This film stands up next to classics, in particular Schindler's List, to depict the horror of the Jewish suffering and violation in Eastern Europe in WW2. It is not so graphic but shows the lengths non-Jewish people went to, to save their fellow human beings. Intensely poignant and heartbreaking at times. Yes it's not all about zoo animals but that's not really the point. A tale worth telling, and very well told.

This is my absolute favorite historical movie and rewatching it is something I will never get tired of. This movie never fails to make me ball my eyes out. The story is based on a couple who owned the Warsaw zoo and how they managed to save the lives of hundreds of Jews during the Nazi invasion in Poland. Jessica Chastain is such a profound actress who elevates this remarkable story in a way only she could. The duality of the couple saving not only the jewish people, but their animals was one that makes this movie stand out to me more than any WW2 film. Bring lots of tissues and be warned of the emotional damage you will feel after.