Review of The Reader (2008) by Nina Y — 27 Jan 2011

By Jill Lawrie for remotegoat on 17/01/09.

Based on Bernhard Schlink's novel of the same title, which in itself has been translated into nearly 40 languages, David Hare has converted this into an extremely successful film, nominated for and receiving many awards and accolades. It is a compelling sombre and intense drama entwining a love story, court scene and the Holocaust ~ no mean feat!

Many of the colourless locations add to the austere and formal decade of the 50's depicting the harsh realities of the unforgiving mundane routines of the post war years admirably portrayed in the drab clothes and seemingly cheerless existence. Not surprising that the unfolding sexual awareness in the young adolescent Michael is all consuming.

Hanna Schmitz and Michael meet for the first time in the open doorway of the entrance to her flat, he is throwing up with the onset of scarlet fever, resulting in 3 months convalescence. He returns to her flat with a bunch of flowers and the inexperienced teenager is drawn into a very carnal involvement with the older woman. She remains stern and in control but as the relationship develops she encourages him to read to her and as he has returned to school there is no shortage of classic literature for the two to enjoy. She disappears from his life as suddenly as she entered it and then as a young law student he stumbles across her once more, while attending a war crimes court hearing of former female SS guards, and is horrified to see Hanna as one of the accused. As he matures, his marriage failing, this tortured soul finds comfort in reading all his books onto tape and posting them to the incarcerated Hanna, ultimately enabling her to overcome her illiteracy and thus bringing the film to a solemn and poignant end.

Kate Winslet (Hanna Schmitz) is outstanding as the forbidding dour tram conductor/former SS guard/sexual muse and deservedly received the Golden Globe award. She is physically in great shape although aging dramatically as the film progresses! David Kross as Michael gives an exceptional performance and not forgetting Ralph Fiennes who takes on the restrained older and melancholy man with great effect. Sadly neither Anthony Minghella nor Sydney Pollack lived to see the finished result.