Watch a clip from the film "The Giver," starring Brenton
Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, and Meryl Streep. Photo/Video: The
Weinstein Company  A little late to the dystopia party, "The
Giver" directed by Phillip Noyce and adapted from the celebrated
1993 children's book by Lois Lowry, has taken almost two decades
to reach the screen. The rights were purchased early on by actor
Jeff Bridges with the intention of having his father, Lloyd,
play the wise man of the title. Mr. Bridges himself is now
playing the role. Which isn't the only melancholic thing about
the film.  It's almost unheard of these days find a movie in
general release that was shot (mostly) in widescreen black-and-
white. But that's how people see in Ms. Lowry's faux-Utopia, a
community where "our leaders have eliminated everything that
would create conflict." This includes color. And, apparently,
parked cars: In an early scene, the hero, Jonas (Brenton
Thwaites) is bicycling along so blissfully, peering up at the
sky, ruminating about what life has in s