The Reader (2008)

4.5 STARS

Directed by Stephen Daldry
Produced by Donna Gigliotti, Anthony Minghella, Redmond Morris, Sydney Pollack
Written by David Hare (based on the novel by Bernhard Schlink)

Starring Kate Winslet, David Kross, Ralph Fiennes

Runtime 2 hours, 4 min.
Worldwide Gross $108,227,848 (as of 08/24/09, still in theatres)
Genres Drama, Romance


Set in post-WWII Germany, The Reader is story of tragedy, guilt and forbidden romance. The film stars the irreplaceable Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz, a kind, hard-working woman with a dark past. Also starring, in his American cinema debut, is David Kross as Michael Berg, Schmitz's young and naïve lover. After the film's introductory scene (with Ralph Fiennes as an older Michael), the film is flashed 47 years in the past, where Michael is wandering the streets with a case of scarlet fever. When spotted by Hanna, he is tended to and walked home. It is in this scene when the two characters develop a complicated love for each other - a love that is driven throughout the film to its end.

Though I will not reveal exactly how, The Reader is a holocaust related film. However, unlike other holocaust epics, such as Spielberg's Schindler's List and Benigni's La vita è bella, not a single scene is ever set in the 1940s. Not even a flashback of such a scene ever occurs. But this makes The Reader even more interesting to watch. Though firsthand evidence of the holocaust is never seen, this doesn't take ever away from the film's raw, emotional power. This is no doubt the work of an amazing director and screenwriter. Another anomaly about The Reader is that the film is not shown from a victim's point-of-view, but a perpetrator's. Amazingly enough, when you watch this film, you don't feel disgust towards this perpetrator, but sympathy.

The acting in this film stands out as well. Though the acting of Kross and Fiennes is good, it is the work of Kate Winslet that really stands out. From her stature to her accent, Winslet is 100% German in this film and she never seems out of place. She reads her lines incredibly well, with a fluency that grabs attention in every syllable. She steals every scene with a quality of acting that will get the attention of viewers for years to come.

Also notable is the cinematography from both Roger Deakins and Chris Menges. Though the two did not work on the film collaboratively, the images still seem to flow beautifully. This film's cinematography is a perfect example of how to use the craft intelligently and artistically. Additionally worth noting is the art direction by Christian M. Goldbeck and Eva Stiebler. Though simplistic, the sets' dark palette match well with the dark tones of the film's screenplay.

Though beautifully written, something troubled me about the screenplay by David Hare. Throughout the film I sometimes asked myself, "What is he trying to say? What is the message?" By the complexities of the film's script, it could be a number of things. It might be that Hare wants us to form our own opinion and draw our own ideas about the film's meaning, something I have no problem with. Nevertheless, The Reader is definitely saying something. I'm just not sure what. Thorough reflection is needed for a film like this.

This film stands as just one of the many reasons why 2008 was such a magnificent year for cinema. Whether you might not want to, The Reader makes you think and helps you craft your own opinions. It's an incredible and powerful film that you will not forget once you've seen. If you haven't yet, do so. Just be prepared with a box of tissues and a clear, open mind.

The Reader is rated R for some scenes of sexuality and nudity.