The Reader-Movie Review 03/11/2011
Posted by Films to consider in Based on a novel, Drama, Emotional Drama, Movies.trackback
The Reader (British) 2008
Among other wins and nominations:
Winner, Best Actress or Supporting Actress (Winslet), Academy Awards; also BAFTA; Chicago Film Critics Association Award; European Film Awards; Golden Globes; Screen Actors Guild and several more
Nominated, Best Film; Best Director Best Cinematography; Best Screenplay
Nominated, Critics Choice Award (Best Young Actor-Kross), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award
Directed by Stephen Daldry
Adapted from the novel Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink
Starring Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross, and Bruno Ganz
As a teenager in Germany after World War II, Michael Berg (Kross) has a brief love affair with Hanna, an older woman (Winslet). She leaves town suddenly with no explanation. A few years later, when Michael is studying to become a lawyer, he attends a trial and discovers that Hanna is one of the defendants. She is found guilty and put in prison.
Hanna continues to have an effect on Michael’s emotional life because he is unable to be truly honest with anyone about the relationship he had with her. Eventually, Michael (with Ralph Fiennes in the adult role) learns something else about Hanna that allows him (and the viewer) some measure of understanding (if not sympathy).
The story has several difficult aspects, not least of which is the age difference between Hanna and Michael. Somehow Kate Winslet still manages to keep Hanna from being totally despicable. She won many accolades for her performance (see above). David Kross also deserves mention as the passionate young Michael, who gets caught up in the relationship, not realizing the consequences it will have.
123 min. Rated R. Sexual content and nudity; adult themes.
FILMS TO CONSIDER 
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