Review of The Reader (2008) by Cory N — 06 May 2011

Good story, good performances, emotionally powerful. Though this was based on a fictional story, I read that it was a semi-autobiographical account from the author Bernhard Schlink. A few parts of the story didn't all makes sense to me, but the themes throughout the movie are powerful enough to understand.

It definitely keeps me thinking, which is a good thing I guess. So, if Kate Winslet's character Hannah has indeed contributed to crime's against humanity, which isn't completely clear in the movie, I can't see what the character Michael Berg is guilty of? Hannah had made her own choices, specially later on in her life. Ofcourse I ask this after reading other reviews. I definitely needed help to clarify exactly what the character's motives were throughout the film because there are different interpretations.

So plot spoiler here, Hannah couldn't read? In reality, if a person has a choice to declare guilt in regards to a crime or declare they are illiterate, the choice is clear. There is no retribution for not being able to read.

So Hannah takes the fall for the other guards, most likely out of guilt. What had Hannah done to Michael to piss him off? Why does Michael hate her? The only answer to me is ignorance. Michael is a product of Nazi Germany and so his ignorance prevented him from helping Hannah in the end.

In any case, I get where Hannah screwed up and where her guilt comes from but how much is she really guilty of? Tragic story nonetheless.