Review #236

Mirage Enterprises, 2008

Mov No. 44922

Genre: Romantic Drama

Rated: R

Directed by: Stephen Daldry

Staring: Kate Winslet, David Kross, Ralph Finnes

Oscars: 5 nominations (Picture, Lead Actress (Kate Winslet), Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography)

AFI 100 years, 100 _____ tributes: None

Runtime: 2h 3min

Best quote: "Reading first. Sex afterwards." -

In this period tale of secrets and shame, Kate Winslet plays Hanna Schmitz, a ticket-taker for a German tramline in the 1950's. (The story jumps around a lot, confusingly, so watch carefully.) Hanna arrives at her apartment one day to find a young man, Michael (David Kross) sick. She tends to him and sees that he makes it home safely. To repay the kindness, when he is better, David brings her flowers.

In quick order they develop a romantic relationship in which the 30-something ex-nazi (yes, she was a nazi) seduces Michael and at fifteen years old he begins a lurid sexual affair with Hanna.

Something is odd about the relationship, however. Hanna always insists that Michael read to he before they have relations. "Reading first," Hanna states. "Sex Afterwards."

After their affair ends abruptly with Hanna leaving without a trace, Michael manages to get on with his life except he is haunted by his memories of Hanna.

In law school years later, Michael and his class attended a court trail where several ex-nazi's are on trial for war crimes. Hanna is one of them. Michael realizes that he still has feeling for Hanna, and soon discovers that he has information that could keep her out of jail.

Confused and emotionless is an older Michael (Ralph Finnes). He has had trouble with relationships ever since Hanna, constantly and consistently going over the events of his life in his mind. The film is an artsy romance where soft-core porn dominates several scenes early on. This is not what the film is about, nor is it about an illicit romance. The story is about how we deal with our emotions; letting go of the past and dealing with our troubles, not bottling them up.

Winslet is a rock the whole film, never showing much emotion but on occasion exploding with rage. Kate Winslet has been nominated five previous times for the Oscar for acting and has come home empty handed. She may or may not win for this film. The Reader is not the best film of the year, nor is it one of the top five. (Top ten, definitely, despite what the Academy voted; their voting for this film took away a sure-fire Best Picture nomination for The Dark Knight.) It is a superb film and very enjoyable, all-in all. One thing is for certain: this is one of Kate's best films, hands down. Period.

Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Frost/Nixon; Milk; *Slumdog Millionaire;
Is the movie worth your time to watch?

FINAL RATING

03-02-09

DOB: October 5th, 1975

Age at win: 33

Nominated for: Best Actress in a Leading Role, Hanna Schmitz, The Reader

Nomination: 6/6 (acting), 6/6 (total); Win: First

Kate Winslet is a terrific actress, and is sure to obtain more and more Oscar Nominations. Her first five nods were notes to the world that she is great great actress. Three of her six nominations came from Best Picture nominees, and indeed, Titanic was a magnificent film.

However, While The Reader may not have deserved to be nominated for Best Picture, Kate Winslet's performance was terrific. She played the illiterate ex-nazi flawlessly, seducing young Michael and having no qualms about the fate of the women under her watch in the prison camp.

As the film moves on and Winslet's character ages, the role becomes more and more complex. But that still doesn't stop Winslet from continuing to push the role along. She never stops making her presence felt and known.

Kate Winslet's performance

23-02-09