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The Reader (2008)

The Reader (2008)
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Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes star in The Hours director Stephen Daldry's haunting period drama concerning the relationship between a 15-year-old German boy and a mysterious woman twice his age, and the way that it grows doubly complex when the man reencounters the woman years later and discovers a shocking truth about her past. Based on author Bernhard Schlink's best-selling novel of the same name, the film opens on the character of Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes) in middle age -- cold, remote, and emotionally withdrawn. It then moves back in time to 1950s Berlin, where ailing teenager Michael (now played by David Kross) has fallen ill with fever, and is discovered in the street by Hanna, a woman in her thirties. After Michael recovers, the two immediately lapse into a torrid affair and Michael falls prey to the confusion of his own burgeoning sexuality. Their liaisons are often marked by Hanna's request that Michael read to her (hence the title). Later, when Michael returns to Hanna's flat and finds it deserted, her absence becomes an emotional blow for which he is completely unprepared, and indeed, scarred for life. The film then moves forward in time by eight years. Michael -- now a law student -- walks into a courtroom and comes across Hanna, one of a series of Nazi prison guards being tried for murderous war crimes during World War II. As he watches her on the witness stand, memories of their past experiences together bring him to the point of realization concerning a startling, long-buried truth about Hanna -- and Michael knows that if he divulges this information, it could modify the prison sentence handed out and dramatically alter her fate. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Starring:
Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, (more)
Director(s):
Stephen Daldry
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
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Synopsis of The Reader

Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes star in The Hours director Stephen Daldry's haunting period drama concerning the relationship between a 15-year-old German boy and a mysterious woman twice his age, and the way that it grows doubly complex when the man reencounters the woman years later and discovers a shocking truth about her past. Based on author Bernhard Schlink's best-selling novel of the same name, the film opens on the character of Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes) in middle age -- cold, remote, and emotionally withdrawn. It then moves back in time to 1950s Berlin, where ailing teenager Michael (now played by David Kross) has fallen ill with fever, and is discovered in the street by Hanna, a woman in her thirties. After Michael recovers, the two immediately lapse into a torrid affair and Michael falls prey to the confusion of his own burgeoning sexuality. Their liaisons are often marked by Hanna's request that Michael read to her (hence the title). Later, when Michael returns to Hanna's flat and finds it deserted, her absence becomes an emotional blow for which he is completely unprepared, and indeed, scarred for life. The film then moves forward in time by eight years. Michael -- now a law student -- walks into a courtroom and comes across Hanna, one of a series of Nazi prison guards being tried for murderous war crimes during World War II. As he watches her on the witness stand, memories of their past experiences together bring him to the point of realization concerning a startling, long-buried truth about Hanna -- and Michael knows that if he divulges this information, it could modify the prison sentence handed out and dramatically alter her fate. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
124 mins

Complete Cast of The Reader


Director(s):
Stephen Daldry
Writer(s):
David Hare
Producer(s):
Scott Rudin, Sydney Pollack, Anthony Minghella
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Nudity, Sexual Situations)
Categories:
Romance, Drama
The Reader Awards:
  • 2008 - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Best Actress
  • 2008 - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Best Depiction of Nudity or Sexuality
  • 2008 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
  • 2008 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
  • 2008 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  • 2008 - Las Vegas Film Critics Association - Best Young Actor
  • 2008 - Las Vegas Film Critics Association - Best Actress
  • 2008 - London Film Critics Association - Best Actress
  • 2008 - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Actress
  • 2008 - Screen Actors Guild - Best Supporting Actress
  • 2008 - Vancouver Film Critics - Best Actress
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Read all (282)
     
    Zeyna A.

    Excellent movie, the actresses and actors brought this one to life. There is quite a bit of nudity, but it does serve a purpose to the story. Truly makes you think about the dilemma Michael Berg, the main character has to deal with. It is a movie that has you wonder what would you do if you were in his shoes.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Cory E.

    This is a fantastic movie with an extremely attractive male and female lead. Both are shown nude and are in a cross-generational relationship, which isn't for everybody. The storyline is phenomenal though. A teenage boy and a woman twice his age develop a personal relationship and the woman loves when he reads to her. The woman all of a sudden leaves without warning and the boy is left alone and heartbroken. A few years pass and the boy is at a court hearing for a course he's taking at law school. The case involves women who were guards at Auschwitz during WWII being prosecuted for the deaths of Jewish women. The boy soon realizes one of the women is his former older lover. The case develops over time, then their relationship resurfaces in a unique way two decades following the verdict and continues until the woman's death. It's a fantastic story of love, heartache, tough decisions, a secret that could've changed both their futures, and lifelong regret. Definitely worth seeing!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Neilivinia T.

    a very well written and complex movie. I loved it!

    Yes   |   No

     
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