OK story but with...

Rating: 6/10 (23 February 2010)

a bunch of unnecessary nudity thrown in for publicity. I think Kate Winslett's nude scenes were to help advertise the Reader. Her young lover, Michael, also shows off too. But aside from that, this movie is OK but nothing great. Winslett is Hana Schmitz, an older woman that falls for a 15 year old and begins an affair. She has him read her lots of books since she is hiding her illiteracy. The first part of the film is about the affair; the second part is about Hana's trial. She is on trial with others for being a nazi guard and letting her prisoners burn in a church. An older Michael is now in law school and is attending her trial. He wants to say something when Hana's illiteracy could help her case, but doesn't. Hana gets a life sentence.
The make up and aging of Hana is very good. But the film does have a slow pace and is too long at close to 2 hours. Winslett deserved all the acting nominations and awards. The subject matter just doesn't make this my type of movie.
FINAL VERDICT: Drama lovers will probably like this and think it's great. I thought it was just OK.