The Reader

The Reader (2008)
Directed by Stephen Daldry
Length: 124 minutes
Rated R for some scenes of sexuality and nudity





My continuing quest to watch all of the big Oscar movies continued with the latest WWII/Nazi/Holocaust drama, The Reader. The surprise dark horse at this past year's award ceremony, this film generated a lot of buzz when not only Kate Winslet's performance was recognized, but also the movie received multiple nominations including Best Picture. But in a year with reverse aging and a rag to riches story, was The Reader worthy of such high praise?

The film can largely be divided into two different halves. The first half centers on the relationship between Hanna Schmitz, played by Oscar winner Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road), and a young boy named Michael Berg. As the mysterious cougar pounces on the boy, opening his eyes to a world of love and sex, we soon discover that Hanna is illiterate as she requires Michael to read to her prior to love making. Like most relationships, she soons leaves the boy. The second half of the movie shows young Michael during his time in law school and as an adult. During this stretch of time, we find out Hanna was a former Nazi concentration camp guard that was responsible for the deaths of hundreds.

After numerous nominations, Kate Winslet finally won for her role in The Reader. But of all of her performances, was this the best? Having seen most of the other nominated performances, Winslet's performance, while good, cannot compare to Meryl Streep in Doubt. Winslet may be one of our generation's greatest actresses, as evidence by her numerous nominations in such a short career, prior performances have warranted a golden statute more so than this particular role.

As I stated, the movie can really be divided into two halves. The first half is mainly concerned with the sexual relationship between Hanna and Michael; while everyone enjoys seeing a celebritiy naked, it ultimately feels empty and a little drawn out. With the second half spanning Hanna's trial, Michael's troubles dealing with Hanna's past, and the present day interaction between the two, The Reader really picks up and turns out to be a decent movie. If the movie could have maintained the pace and content of the second half, it could have been a great movie. But in the end, it just falls short of greatness and settles for mediocrity. Though this film was largely recognized, I once again lament what could have been for the great films of '08 like The Dark Knight and Wall-E.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Not really a quotable movie...but Winselt is naked...again...

Oscar Winners:
Best Actress in a Leading Role-Kate Winslet

Oscar Nominaitons:
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Best Achievement in Directing-Stephen Daldry
Best Motion Picture
Best Adapted Screenplay