Watching this provocative, adult film was like basking in the sun after slogging through months of rain, such a welcome relief from paper thin characters and completely predictable plot development. At first glance, the clandestine affair between a teenage boy named Michael Berg (David Kross) and an older woman named Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet) in post WWII Germany might appear to be nothing more than the usual coming-of-age erotic awakening, but this story has plenty more on its mind. Michael becomes ill early in the film and is assisted home by Hanna, a stranger who lives alone and works as a streetcar ticket collector. When the boy returns to Hanna's home to offer thanks for her assistance, a strong attraction develops that leads into a relationship bordering on obsessive as Michael prefers the company of this strange, gruff woman to that of his peers. Discovering that Hanna cannot read or write, Michael begins reading to her from "The Odyssey", Chekhov and many other books, creating an unspoken bond of kinship that becomes the touchstone by which he remembers his youth. When Hanna suddenly disappears, the boy is devastated. Several years later we find Michael, now a law student, attending the trial of several women accused of murder as concentration camp guards for the SS during the war. He is shocked to discover that Hanna is among them. Aware of information that could effect the outcome of the trial, Michael must deal not only with his conscience but also with his youthful memories as seen in the new light of Hanna's past. As a result, Michael becomes an adult (played by Ralph Fiennes) who has distanced himself from everyone in his life -- his family, his wife and his daughter. The past, forever present as a character in the story, continues its hold on this serious, damaged man and brings him yet another encounter with Hanna.
"The Reader" is that rare film that offers complicated, intelligently written characters along with riveting moral dilemmas without a cliche in sight. Even the courtroom scenes are far from typical as we're given a glimpse into the devious human actions that can influence any legal outcome. A superb cast (Fiennes, Winslet and Kross are all outstanding), a wonderful script and some surprising plot twists that have more to do with human behavior than incident make this one of my favorite movies of the year.
Things to love about this movie: The exceptionally sensual way in which the intimate scenes are handled; the written word is obviously a thing of beauty to the filmmakers and books have the power to change lives for these characters; the very personal approach taken to issues of The Holocaust and its aftermath
Things to hate about this movie: Some rather cheesy hair and make-up used to age Winslet
Pleasant surprises: Bruno Ganz makes an apperance as Michael's law professor
Unpleasant surprises: Not a one
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This is indeed one of the best films of 2008 with an incredible performance by Kate Winslet, who never strikes a false note. The issues of law versus morality raised by Michael's law professor (the always excellent Bruno Ganz) influence a crucial choice which haunts Michael throughout his adult life. Finally, a movie for thinking adults.
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