"The Giver"

If people had order, cleanliness, no disease and no war, would that be enough?  All those things are good.  But the important something that is lacking in (movie) "The Giver" is liberty.

Today's Americans give lip service to personal liberty, but they haven't so far had to choose it above comfort and security - as many people all over the globe have had to do, as the American founders did.

"The Giver" brings up a good question: what if one group of people (the government) took away your right to make your own choices but at the same time equally gave you and everyone every physical comfort - would you be satisfied with that deal?  Some would.

What would justify some people (bureaucrats) making other people's choices?  Chief Elder played by Meryl Streep states it:  "When people have the freedom to choose, they choose wrong."  But she is people too, just as human . . so just as potentially wrong.  Her criticism of the people applies to her.  She may choose wrong.

Since I haven't read the book yet, I make no claim for that.  But I do recommend the movie.