How far would you go to protect a secret?
THE READER opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair. Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Hanna is enthralled as Michael reads to her from "The Odyssey," "Huck Finn" and "The Lady with the Little Dog." Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken. Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life - this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both of their lives. THE READER is a story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another.
Genre(s): Drama, Romance
Runtime: 124 minutes
Rating: 7.7/10 (34,210 votes)
Release Date: 10 December 2008
Country: USA, Germany
Languages: English, German, Greek, Latin
Company: Mirage Enterprises
Sound: DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS
MPAA: Rated R for some scenes of sexuality and nudity.
Director(s): Stephen Daldry
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Producer(s):
Jason Blum - co-executive producer
Christoph Fisser - co-producer
Donna Gigliotti - producer
Tarik Karam - associate producer
Anthony Minghella - producer
Henning Molfenter - co-producer
Redmond Morris - producer
Arno Neubauer - line producer
Sydney Pollack - producer
Marianna Rowinska - line producer: Poland
Michael Simon de Normier - associate producer
Nora Skinner - associate producer
Bob Weinstein - executive producer
Harvey Weinstein - executive producer
Charlie Woebcken - co-producer
Writer(s):
David Hare - (screenplay)
Bernhard Schlink - (book "Der Vorleser")
Cast:
Ralph Fiennes - Michael Berg
Jeanette Hain - Brigitte
David Kross - Young Michael Berg
Kate Winslet - Hanna Schmitz
Susanne Lothar - Carla Berg
Alissa Wilms - Emily Berg
Florian Bartholomäi - Thomas Berg
Friederike Becht - Angela Berg
Matthias Habich - Peter Berg
Frieder Venus - Doctor
Music: Nico Muhly
Jason Blum - co-executive producer
Christoph Fisser - co-producer
Donna Gigliotti - producer
Tarik Karam - associate producer
Anthony Minghella - producer
Henning Molfenter - co-producer
Redmond Morris - producer
Arno Neubauer - line producer
Sydney Pollack - producer
Marianna Rowinska - line producer: Poland
Michael Simon de Normier - associate producer
Nora Skinner - associate producer
Bob Weinstein - executive producer
Harvey Weinstein - executive producer
Charlie Woebcken - co-producer
Writer(s):
David Hare - (screenplay)
Bernhard Schlink - (book "Der Vorleser")
Cast:
Ralph Fiennes - Michael Berg
Jeanette Hain - Brigitte
David Kross - Young Michael Berg
Kate Winslet - Hanna Schmitz
Susanne Lothar - Carla Berg
Alissa Wilms - Emily Berg
Florian Bartholomäi - Thomas Berg
Friederike Becht - Angela Berg
Matthias Habich - Peter Berg
Frieder Venus - Doctor
Music: Nico Muhly
Posted on: December 26, 2008
February 8th, 2012
July 5th, 2009
Not another holocaust movie. This movie is really, really, really bad,It's boring flawed and mediocre. Kate Winslet's performance deserved anOscar, Bruno Ganz was outstanding as usual, Ralph Fiennes was great andDavid Kross was good too. But that's all the strength this movie has.Michael(David Kross/Ralph Fiennes) starts an affair with Hanna(KateWinslet) and she is his passion, But one day she is gone. Years laterMichael meets her again in a courtroom and she is accused for killingmany people as KZ-guard. I don't know how this movie could have everbeen nominated for an Oscar because it's one of the worst movies of2008.
July 6th, 2009
It's not really difficult to be complimentary about this movie.Wonderful direction, quietly engrossing, great performances from all.Nice to see Bruno Ganz turning up too. There is something amazing abouta film which successfully spreads itself across decades of people'slives, and this film is certainly successful in that respect. Reallymakes you think about the roles we play as humans. Are they really ofour own making? How much power do we truly have in terms of beingcaught up something much, much bigger than one can even imagine?Probably the best thing that Ralph Fiennes has done in a while; KateWinslet's star is obviously very much in the ascendancy these days, andI hope that we will be seeing a lot more of David Kross – a fine youngactor.
July 10th, 2009
Because I gave Tropic Thunder 9 – I'm giving them 10. I am a Graboiduser – but Graboid links to this site so…
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The Reader.
I feel tired – so I'll keep it short. DEFINITE SPOILERS WITHIN. So readthis after you've seen it.
I think the implied hanging is not truthful to the spirit of the film.I may indeed be wrong – but it is unquestionably implied.
Why wasn't she knocked down…? – by a bus or a car? Or perhaps anoverdose…? Was she really a nurse..? The conductress aspect lendingweight intellectually to the characterization – but – things can bealso shown to be just as strict within a hospital regime. Would lendauthenticity to an overdose…(a compromise maybe between self-hangingand being knocked down..) But knocked down I would prefer…. She isnot like that – to hang herself… she is too fearful, in a survivoristsense – God is Just – In what he allows us to do – though he may notagree..
The music is far too invasive – far to distractionary… it is bad.Lovely music to be sure – lovely, orchestral, – but wrong… Might havesuited the end – and may have played a subtle theme, orchestraly …and therefore disturbed… things… That kate won an Oscar – thoughher performance is splendid/exceptional – doesn't impress me at all…I expect it came as a substantial shock to her…
Ralph Fiens' character seems like he had Brass Balls to go to soimbittered a Jewess – but it works in the context of Kate's character'ssuicide, so… If she suffered suicide for that reason – its hard tosay – that it was wrong filmatically…. Hmmm – I still lean towardbeing knocked down – somehow… Might have given the Jewess survivorscene – surrounded by all that wealth – may have given her more angerto work with – something stronger – more emotionality…
So, is it the script ? – the book ? Well…its hardly the project – butis there a book? ..another script..?
All in all – very worth the watch…
The love scenes – well… it should be as hot as that – shouldn't it?Beautiful Bods though….. Acceptibly so, maybe..
November 17th, 2010
good yaar