Despite the impressive cast (Taylor Swift has a cameo), performances are uneven. Bridges and Streep stand out but the others are somewhat unconvincing. Conceptually, there are also bits reminiscent of *The Matrix* some Orwellian Big Brother ideology and dashes of *Divergent* in an overall attempt to convey the film’s core message – do we sacrifice pain and pleasure in the quest to attain a ‘perfect’ existence?

A film like this provokes us to change the way we think about worlds perfect and imperfect and know there is a hell in every heaven. Compelling points made, but not entirely gripping and a little too simplistic, The Giver isn’t for everyone. You have to give a damn about everything around you to enjoy this one.