Katie Holmes on "The Giver": "It's a celebration of life"

"The Giver," a film starring Katie Holmes, Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep based on the popular young adult book, is coming to theaters Friday.

The film tells the story of Jonas, a boy who discovers the dark side of his futuristic society. His mother, played by Holmes, is responsible for making sure that civilians follow the government's strict rules.

Holmes and Weinstein Company co-founder Harvey Weinstein discussed the film on "CBS This Morning" Thursday. Holmes said she was drawn to it right away.

"I really loved the script, and then I read the book, and I immediately understood why it's so beloved," Holmes said. "I think these themes are very important, and what I love about the movie is, you know, you really see this extreme society."

Holmes was also intrigued by the fact that the characters live in a society without conflict, wars, sadness, love or emotion.

"No war, no pain," Holmes said. "But then you see Jonas go through having all these memories and these beautiful human moments, and it's wonderful to see on screen these wonderful life moments. To me, the movie is very emotional when you see it. It's a celebration of life in many ways because you're seeing what happens when you take away freedom."

For Weinstein, making the film was a no-brainer after mentioning the possibility to his children.

"I really went to Meryl, and I have to tell you, her daughters closed the deal, like my daughters closed my deal," Weinstein said. "Three of my daughters had read 'The Giver.' They heard 'The Giver' was being discussed. They said, 'Dad, you got to make the movie.' I called Meryl right away, and I said, 'Have your girls read the book?' She called me back, and she said, 'They all loved it.'"

Weinstein said some of the film's finest moments take place when Streep and Bridges are on screen together.

"She says, 'Climate control ... it caused us pain. Overpopulation caused us pain.' She goes through all the reasons why the society was perfect and why there's no pain now," Weinstein said. "And then Jeff Bridges debates her in his part. And just to see these two great actors be on the opposite-- Meryl actually makes you believe that totalitarianism ... had a reason, and that's the strength of the book because there was a reason for it."

One of Holmes' notable scenes is when her character's child asks her if she loves him even though the concept of love is forbidden in their world.

"In this society, we're not supposed to speak of such words," Holmes said. "And so, it was an interesting role to play because, you know, she is the keeper of these rules, and yet she has this child who's been chosen to start breaking the rules and experience things that are beyond her level of understanding or experience."