Based on Bernhard Schlink's novel, The Reader is a dark love drama between a young boy Michael and an elder woman
The Reader
A; Drama
Dir: Stephen Daldry
Cast: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross
***
What's it about: Based on Bernhard Schlink's novel, The Reader is a dark love drama between a young boy Michael (David Kross) and an elder woman (Kate Winslet). Set in the late 1950's Germany, the film is seen in flashback as the much older Michael (Ralph Fiennes) recalls the affair that changed the course of his life. Winslet'su00a0u00a0 of the elusive Hannah who's sitting on a bomb of secrets which explodes much later is outstanding and unlike anything she's done till now. She uses Michael as her reader, a source to soak into the world of literature and books. He leads her into the world of Chekov, Homer, and even stories from Tintin, not knowing the past she holds. The climax revolves around the battle of law versus morality, love versus forgiveness and the struggle to move on in life.
What's hot: The Reader shines because we are compelled to feel for Hannah, and much credit for that goes to Kate Winslet's brilliant performance. Pulling off an easy German accent, she dives into one of the most difficult characters she's ever played. Even though she doesn't have too many dialogues, her eyes, and body language convey the burden of the past weighing down on her. Using literature as a symbol to convey Hannah's vulnerability and child like demeanor, Daldry builds up some intense scenes. There's ample nudity and sex in the first half, but used in a fashion which doesn't titillate but takes the story forward. David Kross as the young Michael impresses with his ordinary appeal, while Fiennes gives one of his most subtle performances to date. Nico Muhly's background score is haunting.
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What's not: Depending on how patient you are, the film will either engross you or leave you twiddling your thumbs. Daldry loses the cohesiveness, focusing on extracting stellar performances but ignoring the totality it requires. Michael's realization and the pain that follows after discovering Hannah's dark past doesn't do justice to the build up till that point. Perhaps the film takes itself too seriously and struggles between being a historic docudrama or an intense love story.
What to do: Watch Winslet tackle one of the toughest characters thrown at her effortlessly in a movie that could have glittered had it risen above self-flattery.
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