Uneven film, great performances

Rating: 7/10 (14 January 2009)

'The Reader' tantalizes us with a premise so sultry, so sensuous. Stephen Daldry, who also directed 'The Hours', brings this tale of Nazi accountability to life with the help of a tremendously talented cast. But as the heat of passion wears off, so does the spark that made 'The Reader' such a captivating picture.
'The Reader' nearly achieves greatness during its first hour. It's seductive, sexy. Kate Winslet and David Kross bear all to deliver remarkable and worthy performances. While Winslet is no stranger to stripping down for the camera, David Kross' role as a teenager coming-of-age while living in West Germany during the 1950s is admirably brave. The relationship between these two is captured beautifully on film with human passion during a difficult time of reconstruction and national shame. The film is focused, rapturing.
But as 'The Reader' moves away from its sultry premise, the driving force behind the picture falters. It never ceases to be a fascinating story, but it lacks that emotional punch that would have helped make this a truly memorable experience. It feels rushed, and was in order to be out in time for Oscar consideration. And what was a provocative coming-of-age portrait becomes an interesting but dull look at Holocaust accountability. It suggests an emotionally resonant life story, but in reality 'The Reader' is rather distant. I'm not quite sure what it was getting at, a dilemma that may have risen when translating the source novel from the screen. But I'm not convinced that had Winslet's Hanna been literate, her actions would have been any different. Is it redemption for the awful crimes committed?
The emotional toll that 'The Reader' takes on David Kross' character is obvious. He becomes a heavy smoker, he's forced to watch the trial and humiliation of a woman he thought he knew. Kate Winslet's physical appearance undergoes dramatic changes. The sensuous, lustful body gives way to age. These are two devastatingly human performances, and that makes the difference. 'The Reader' may struggle when it tries to become a profound and meaningful excursion, but the riveting performances of these fine actors is terrific. See it for them. But if you're looking for a more convincing and tragic look at Post-WWII Germany, you may want to look elsewhere.
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