An amazing picture of human nature in love and despair -

Rating: 10/10 (27 June 2009)

I will start by saying I have never seen a movie which made me feel the way The Reader does. It captures every emotion that can be experienced. I was in tears at one moment, and in a blank stare at another moment. Kate Winslet was incredible playing Hanna Shmitz. Her raw attitude and personality creates a clear visual of her character. David Kross shows his true potential playing Michael Berg - I see a prominent future in his acting career. It is very rare when a movie can move you in such a way as The Reader does. You get lost in the story and the characters. There is not one thing that I would want to change about this film. I have never had such a strong reaction to a movie. This movie shows the significance one person can have on another - even if it is only for a brief period of time. The affects an individual can make on another can be tremendous, and tragic. The love, the pain, and the heartache are all expressed with extreme care in this film. Stephen Daldry should not go without applause, as well as all the actors. This is a movie that will stand the test of time, and teach us of true human individuality, morals, and nature. A re-occurring thought was in my head throughout the film, "Someone had this story in their head, in their mind - Somehow, someone created this beautiful story - Where do people come up with this?" You should not miss this, it's a true gift to cinema.