Solidly made but overrated and disappointing

Rating: 6/10 (8 February 2009)

The novel upon which "The Reader" is based is a highly acclaimed and much loved piece, particularly in Germany. It deals with German national guilt about Nazism and it is a book which, by all accounts, is a clear, well-defined and gripping piece that has something to say and says it well. This makes it all the more surprising that the film adaptation is so confused.
It is not just a confused piece, but a disappointing one as well, particularly as it is solidly made. It is very well shot and beautifully scored and there isn't, technically, much wrong with it. It is also pretty well acted, though this is not one of Kate Winselt's finer performances and the Oscars have nominated her for the wrong film (when compared with far more interesting performance in "Revolutionary Road"). There is a particularly strong turn from Bruno Ganz, as a Law professor.
However, the film simply doesn't amount to anything. You never really care for the characters as you have no time to connect with them before they begin to have a wail of a time. The plot meanders, ponderously, through many years and becomes increasingly dull. And, through it all, you're never sure that the film knows what it wants to be.
Is it a Holocaust drama? Not entirely. Is it about German war guilt? Not entirely. Is it about the triumph over illiteracy? Quite probably, as most of the film appears to be about this. There are elements of all of these, but as the two hours of well-put-together, decently-acted drama plays out, the film, as a whole, doesn't really develop. It is as solid as you would like it to be, but thoroughly, thoroughly disappointing.
3 Stars out of 5