Reads into a Strong Ending

Rating: 7/10 (8 January 2009)

Director Stephen Daldry and writer David Hare have one of the greatest chemistry's of any writer-director I've witnessed. Going back to their ambitious effort, The Hours which would fail to win any other Oscar outside of Nicole Kidman's staggering performance. However, The Reader, their newest efforts have proved to be much lighter and even less impressive of works of 2008.
The film stars a wonderful ensemble of actors; starting with the beautiful Kate Winslet in her most "bare," to say the least we've seen her in her career, who gives a valiant effort portraying Hanna, the woman with a dark past and even darker future. Winslet's performance here, while not surpassing her work in Revolutionary Road earlier this year, should see herself as an Oscar nominee this upcoming season.
David Kross who plays Michael, the object of Hanna's affection at fifteen years old, is solid and gives a courageous breakthrough performance which should make him one to watch in later years.
Ralph Fiennes, as the elder Michael is utterly heartbreaking. Making us aware of how great he has been in the past and still continues to wow us in his later years, he really shows versatility here. We hope he doesn't remain one of Oscars best kept secrets who continues to go unnoticed through time. Lena Olin, in a brief, yet strikingly igniting role, does what she can in such minimal time.
David Hare's screenplay however, doesn't provide enough character depth to hold us to the story. All are pretty much a mystery and undeniably in agony but we really don't care why. Daldry's direction holds pace but takes a while to pick up steam. The last third of the film is where it really comes alive but the journey there is quite uneventful.
Collectively, The Reader is a solid work yet noticeably flawed but always worth the watch.
***/****