Sunday, December 28, 2008

Movie Review: The Reader

Photo of poster uploaded on Flickr by Clemato

Kate Winslet's performance as Hanna makes this film a memorable experience. Her vacant stares are anything but vacant and will haunt you long after you have left the theater. The subject matter is much more than just an affair with an older woman, albeit this love affair impacts the young man throughout his life. It is more a morality play and a philosophical question of German guilt.
Hanna and Michael (David Kross), photo posted by Clemato on Flickr

Bruno Ganz, who plays the professor, actually includes Karl Jaspers' The Question of German Guilt as required reading for his young law students, including Michael Berg, Hanna's lover. The professor also requires his young law students to attend a trial for low level guards from the concentration camps.

While watching the trial scenes, I tried to make a decision as to what I would have done if I were in Berg's position. It is not an easy question. I guarantee you will be torn apart by this film.

Kate Winslet as Hanna, photo posted by Clemato on Flickr


The young Michael Berg, David Kross, gives a stunning performance. And Ralph Fiennes, as usual, gives the performance he should, reserved, yet multi-layered if you look deep into the philosophical questions this film poses.

It is based on a book by Bernhard Schlick, adapted for the screen by David Hare, and directed by Stephen Daltry. I highly recommend this film.

One last thing, on a personal note, I fell in love with Bruno Ganz in the Wim Wenders film Wings of Desire and I am still in love with that man. So sexy.
Bruno Ganz, photo posted by blue elephant on Flickr

2 comments:

Eboni said...

Mary, your reviews of articles, books and film are so good. You create a need to check out your recommendations!

Mary Cuevas said...

thanks eboni:)
yes i really loved this film and thought about long after i left. i had to read some of jasper's writing in college, but i am going to look for that book on amazon.

the film makes you think long and hard. and of course is a love story.:)
mary