The Reader A Decent Drama With Good Performances

Rating: 7/10 (12 June 2009)

The Reader is a decent drama with good performances especially from Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, and newcomer David Kross. Director Stephen Daldry is admirable in making this movie about a brief affair between an older woman and a much younger man who years later now a law student re-encounters his former love as she defends herself in a war-crime trial. Kate Winslet turns in a great performance as Hannah and she more than deserved the Oscar she received for this one. Winslet continues to show audiences why she's one of Hollywoods most talented and bravest actresses today especially in the films steamy sex scenes. Ralph Fieness is equally impressive as the older Michael now a law student who still has feelings for his first love Hannah. Fiennes proves to be effective in the role as he does with most of the characters he's played in other films. Newcomer David Kross turns in a good performance as well. He shows some real talent and bravery especially in the nudity/love scenes his character has with Winslet. The rest of the cast are also solid in their limited screen time. The pacing of the movie was a little slow at times and some actors (like Winslet and Fiennes) weren't in it as much as I thought they would be but all of them are great in it none the less. Overall The Reader is a decent drama about love, consequences, secrets, and revelations with powerful performances by the cast (especially Winslet and Fiennes) who make it worth watching.