Reader, The (DVD)

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"How far would you go to protect a secret?"

"The Reader" is an adaptation of the 1995 book by Bernhard Schlink, which holds the distinction as the first German novel ever to reach number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Despite receiving five Oscar nominations, critical reception of the film has generally been mixed. Now that I´ve seen it for myself, I can understand why. The multi-layered story involves very sensitive subject matter, and presents it in such a way that every viewer will forge their own interpretations and conclusions. Oddly enough, it´s this kind of controversy that actually makes "The Reader" a very strong film, and one that everyone should set aside a couple of hours to watch.

The story is mostly told in flashbacks, and begins in Berlin, Germany during the nineties where a man named Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes) is haunted by memories from his past. Back in 1958 when he was just fifteen years old (played by David Kross), Michael falls violently ill on his way home from school and is forced to take a breather in the entryway of an apartment complex. While regaining his composure, a tram conductor comes to his aid and she assists Michael home where he´s eventually diagnosed with scarlet fever.

After his recovery a few months later, Michael decides to pay a visit to the kindhearted stranger to offer his gratitude, and is greeted by Hanna Schmitz (Winslet). As a woman twice his age, Hanna doesn´t seem to take much interest in Michael at first, but soon enough they find a common ground when Michael starts to read to Hanna and the two are embroiled in a passionate affair. It becomes a symbiotic relationship, as Michael´s stories excite Hanna and in turn she rewards the teen with carnal pleasures. The two meet as much as they can for the entire summer, until one day Michael shows up and Hanna is gone without a trace.

A few years later when Michael is attending law school, his class observes a trial for Nazi war criminals and to his horror, one of the defendants turns out to be Hanna. As the case progresses and Hanna´s terrible deeds as a concentration camp guard at Auschwitz are revealed to Michael, a shocking revelation surfaces that will have a major impact on both of their lives.

I think the main reason why some critics have issues with "The Reader" is that they feel the movie crosses the line by almost condoning the improper sexual relationship of a woman and teenager and then wants us to pity a participant of the holocaust. Personally, I didn´t really feel this way when I watched the movie, though. For me, the story wasn´t about Hanna at all, but about Michael and the bombshell he had to try to make sense of and come to terms with. He´s basically a symbol for an entire generation that has been going through the same horrible feelings upon learning the sins of their fathers during World War II. The seduction and trial issues are merely plot devices designed to draw this out into the open, and the fact that they strike an uncomfortable chord with the viewer is just the art of good storytelling.

It´s the outstanding performances in "The Reader" that practically carry the entire film by themselves. Winslet is magnificently brilliant as Schmitz in her Oscar and Golden Globe winning role—who at times is tender, alluring, and delighted with the simplest things in life, while other times she´s a very troubled and misguided soul. The young David Kross is the other powerhouse in the film, and I´m surprised he hasn´t been drawing more critical acclaim. He´s pitch-perfect as a naïve and confused teenager caught up in a sexual whirlwind, and he completely nailed the agony and despair he was suffering when his whole world was being torn apart. Winslet and Kross are truly amazing talents indeed.