Movie Review: 'The Zookeepers Wife' (PG-13)

In this gripping historical drama directed by and co-written with Michael Leshan's directorial debut, Colin Firth stars alongside Academy Award winner Jessica Chastain as the titular couple. Based on the true story of Jan and Małgosia Grynspan-Kremer, a Polish Catholic couple who hid over 2500 Jews during World War II within their Warsaw zoo.

Set in Nazi-occupied Poland from January to July 1943, we meet Dr. Lutz (Firth), an animal keeper at the city's zoo, and his wife, Rachel (Chastain). After witnessing a brutal German SS officer executing several of her Jewish friends for simply being present near their Warsaw home, Małgosina decides it is time to take action against the Nazi regime.

Using fake identity papers provided by Dr. Lutz as Christian Polish Catholics named Jan and Wanda Grynspan-Kremer, they begin hiding Jews within the zoo's grounds - mainly children who have lost their families due to The Holocaust. As more refugees arrive seeking shelter from the ever-growing threat of extermination outside, tensions rise between those trapped inside trying to survive alongside one another.

On top of managing food supplies and keeping up appearances for any potential Nazi inspections, Jan must also keep his wife's true nature a secret: she is actually Małgosina, who continues her underground resistance work by smuggling vital medicine into the ghetto while pretending everything remains normal on surface level. As their double lives become increasingly complicated due to constant close calls with both German soldiers patrolling outside and rival Polish anti-Nazis searching within looking for valuable resources themselves.

Meanwhile, Rachel struggles between keeping up appearances as a simple housewife and her own growing sense of purpose - one that could lead them all straight into the very hands they're trying so hard not to get caught by...

With outstanding performances from Firth and Chastain bringing depth and nuance throughout these harrowing times without ever descending into overly sentimental territory; 'The Zookeeper's Wife' is a powerful reminder never forget what happened during World War II - especially when it comes down simple acts of humanity shown towards others in need most.

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