The Reader

The Reader
Director: Stephen Daldry 

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, David Kross
Rated: R

Based upon the book Der Voleser by Bernhard Schlink, the reader moves like a book.  The chronology moves from pre-WWII, to 1966, and then throughout the 80's a little bit.  Kate Winslet has already won a Golden Globe for her performance, and she deserved it.  Ralph Fiennes does an eloquent job as the older Michael Berg, and David Kross is able to succeed as an adolescent and then as a conflicted law student in the film.  

The Reader is very sexual at the outset - with the clandestine affair of Winslet and Kross.  The affair moves beyond the teenage fantasy when Winslet announces, "We're changing the way we do things kid.  First you read to me...  Then we make love."  However, as with most films that are overtly sexual at times - the Reader moves on to explore the two characters and the ethical culture following the Holocaust.  While some scenes are predictable, the acting transcends the screen-play in that regard and I found myself on the edge of my seat in the interim period of 1966.

The Reader is a very good movie.  On IMDB it is given a 7.8/10, and I agree with that.  Winslet steals the show and attempts to drag it into a 9/10 (which i have never seen), but the story itself cannot move to epic but only remain at solid and compelling.  If you liked Atonement you will like this even more I think.  If you are expecting a feel good story that happens to be near the Holocaust - probably go see something else.  But, if you are okay being tossed around by incredible acting, the intricacies of love, and the difficulties of life and the sneaky watershed moments we are never prepared for - then I would highly recommend the Reader.  4/5 stars.