Fascinating and thought provoking - Kate Winslet is amazing

Rating: 9/10 (27 March 2009)

Whenever i mention the reader to people and say how good Kate Winslet was they all say 'yes but so were Ralph Fiennes and David Kross.' Yes they were, i agree but her performance absolutely rips theirs to shreds in terms of not only authenticity, but empathy, sympathy and the large arc in which she creates for her character. I had read the book before this and yes you should read it, it is amazing but the two are very different because the book is short and relies on shock value than emotional depth which is where the film excels. David Kross who is talented plays Michael Berg who is taken advantage of by Kate Winslet who plays Hanna Smitz. This is all before the war. The audience's first reaction is of disgust but it masterfully turns into a compelling love story. The twist comes when Hanna disappears and i won't tell you the twist but you'll probably realize from the trailer anyway. And although Hanna is an evil *&^^%$ Kate Winslet still had me on the verge of tears. I really felt for the character and it is a testament to Kate Winslet. Now that i have raved about the actors i should mention the crew. David Hare the screenwriter and Stephen Daldry the director last collaborated for one of my favorite films 'The Hours.' Daldry's direction is simple but compelling and fast paced and Hare is one of my favorite writers and he keeps up his usual brilliant standard. The score by Nico Muhly was good for a newcomer but was not as good as Philip Glass' one in the Hours. Needless to say i don't know which film i like more, the reader or the hours and i am torn between the better performance, Nicole Kidman in The Hours or Kate Winslet in The Reader. And as my conclusion i would like to classify that this is not a holocaust movie. It has relevance to the story but the story is set before and after the terrible event. This movie as a film is not as good as things like 'Schindler's List,' it is unfair to compare because this is the first film to boldly take on the actual aftermath of the tragedy. Something that i think the cast and crew definitely overcome.