Powerful, moving, 'coming of age' movie

Rating: 7/10 (24 May 2013)

A powerful and, dare I say, moving story of a boy's coming of age and first sexual and romantic involvement with an older woman. Set in Germany, the film moves between 1950s and the 1990s. A young man, Michael Berg (played by David Cross) reads voraciously to the woman of his obsession, Hanna Schmitz, (played by Kate Winslet), in between lots of sex, and awakens in her a love of the written word; she however is illiterate. After her abrupt and unexplained departure, Michael is forced to get on with his life. Some years later, as a law student (now played by Ralph Fiennes), he sits in on a trial of Nazi guards, one of whom is Hanna Schmitdz, the woman he met at 15. She is one of a group of 6 ex Auschwitz guards trying to defend themselves against heinous war crimes. Michael is shocked and disgusted to see his former lover in such a setting and, even though he holds the knowledge that could absolve her, remains mute throughout the proceedings. Consequently, Hannah is sentenced to 20 years in prison. At some point during her incarceration, Michael begins to send her tapes of stories he used to read her. This brings some light into her life and eventually she teaches herself to read. At the end of her sentence, Michael is the only 'friend' Hannah has and is summoned to help her when she is released. He is prepared to sort out the practicalities she will need for life on the outside but his resentment prevents any further kindness or involvement. The story does not have a happy ending but Michael tells Hannah's story to his daughter which serves as a cathartic process for both of them. The movie was well done and I liked the fact that is wasn't obvious in its themes.