sensitive treatment of a difficult subject

Rating: 7/10 (4 January 2009)

I watched this riveting movie without prior knowledge of the book which it is sourced from by Bernard Schlink. Some reviewers had implied that it is hard to follow given a complex flashbacks plotting device but neither I nor Jeana had any difficulty in keeping up.
It's very good. Kate Winslet's performance is, in my view, a career high and the young Michael Berg, played by David Kross, puts in an outstanding turn as Winslet's young (underage) lover, before the part is taken over beautifully by Ralph Feinnes. Lena Olin has only a very small part at the end of the movie, playing the daughter of a Holocaust survivor but her role is fundamental to the film's denouement and she carries it off stunningly.
I'd rather not spoil the plot by revealing the key central twist which you can see coming, but it is very effective and takes the third act of the movie into a new, and unexpected dimension. The first act is essentially a seduction and the second, a courtroom drama. All three are paced slowly but carefully. In lesser hands this film could have gone so wrong in so many ways but the acting is supplemented by great writing (David Hare - well, what do you expect) direction (Steven Daldry) and Cinematography (Roger Deakins whose last brilliant movie was No Country For Old Men). Indeed the movie is nominated for best film, writing directing and supporting actress at the Golden Globes. Quite rightly in my opinion.
It's very moving and given the nature of Winslet's role it's a tribute to her and the production team that you sympathise with her throughout, even though she clearly would not find universal favour.
7.5 out of 10.