Review: "The Reader"

Okay, so to put it simply, I had nothing to do.
Yesterday all my friends were busy, it was raining and I didn't want to spend the last day of my holidays sitting at home killing time on my own, so, I asked my mother if she would like to do something with me and she said yes.
We decided to go to the cinema, as many a bored person does when it rains and, my mum, always a fan of a good movie, had red good reviews of a film that was released on the 2nd of January called "The Reader".
Now to be honest, I hadn't heard anything about this film. I hadn't even seen a trailer for it. So I was surprised to find out that it consisted of an arguably "all star" cast including Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes.

It's basically (in the words of IMDB ,without spoiling the plot):
"THE READER opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair. Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Hanna is enthralled as Michael reads to her from "The Odyssey," "Huck Finn" and "The Lady with the Little Dog." Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken. Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life - this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both of their lives. THE READER is a story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another."

I red that exact synopsis before leaving for the cinema and to be honest, thought it was going to be awful. It doesn't sound very interesting from that, but my goodness, it's spectacular.
It is by far one of the best films I've seen in ages and I don't necessarily mean in ways of entertainment, but the making of it, the acting, the plot, the truth of it... it's all amazing. They haven't got one tiny detail wrong, they haven't dragged on the story at any point, the sex scenes are done decently and you leave the cinema feeling completely drained.
Now, when I say "drained" I don't mean depressed or anything. Just, it's so deep and touching that you can't get it out of your head. You just keep exploring it in your mind like a never ending tunnel of thought.

Although I have to say, I can't emphasise enough that although it is a 15 rated film most 15 year olds wouldn't have a clue about it. This isn't me pretending I'm an incredibly mature genius or anything, in fact I'm probably the minimal intelligence and maturity required to appreciate this film. There is reference to World War 2 on several levels so you need to understand those events as the film is set entirely in Germany. You have to have a level of maturity to understand the issues explored and..well, I don't want to be the cause of a spoiler, so I'll just say you will understand if you see it.

It's not a lighthearted film that I would go and see with my friends and it's not something I would watch to unwind at the end of a tiring day. It's anything but that. It's tiring, it makes you think, it makes you appreciate and it teaches you. Yet, I don't in any means suggest that these qualities are negative ones; these are the qualities that make it unforgettable.

Reading into it's detail I see it has been nominated for 4 Golden Globes, 8 other awards and has already won one for Kate Winslet's, let's face it, always flawless acting, and, I have to say, for once I agree that this film deserves every award it wins and every positive review it receives as it is one of those films that can ultimately change your life.


- Melody 05.01.09