Review of The Reader (2008) by Shovon R — 10 Jul 2012

Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.

The Oscars for 2009 saw Kate Winslet nominated for two awards for two films, one for 'Revolutionary Road? Road' arguably a better film and 'The Reader' which she won the Oscar. Winslet's performance is arguably stronger in ?Revolutionary Road? compared to her performance in 'The Reader', where the actress spends a large amount of the film wallowing between scenes, and never really has the chance to let loose as she does in the previous film. With a love interest between her and the young lead that never really hits it off and is portrayed more of an obsession by Michael Berg played by David Kross, rather than real passion between the two leads. Sadly the other lead Ralph Fiennes is under used and also never really has a chance to get his teeth into the part.

Strangely once the twist has been revealed the film attempts to seek sympathy for Hanna Schmitz, which is a hard sell, as events are played out, with what the ex Nazi guard has carried. This is where the film loses its way slightly.

Overall performances are of a high standards, despite at times underused and not given full flow in some of the central leads, the production is also all fine with a few nice flourishes. Still the film tries to aim too high, and never really reaches the emotional high it wants.