The Reader

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The Reader

R

Released Jan 9, 2009

2h 3m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

202 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Michael Berg (David Kross), a teen in postwar Germany, begins a passionate but clandestine affair with Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), an older woman who enjoys having classic novels read to her. Then Hanna mysteriously disappears, leaving Michael heartbroken and confused. Years later, Michael, now a law student, gets the shock of his life when he sees Hanna on trial for Nazi war crimes.

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Critics Consensus

Despite Kate Winslet's superb portrayal, The Reader suggests an emotionally distant, Oscar-baiting historical drama.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

If this film were a meal, it would be like having your pudding first, and then having to chew through one hell of a lot of wet spinach.

Aug 28, 2018

Full Review

Todd McCarthy

Variety

Stephen Daldry's film is sensitively realized and dramatically absorbing, but comes across as an essentially cerebral experience without gut impact.

Jul 6, 2010

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Kristin Tillotson

Minneapolis Star Tribune

If Winslet carries the complex psychological intrigue of the film on her shoulders, David Kross carries the heart of it on his.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 8, 2009

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Although the film offers no solution to the pained questions of culpability and intention, its haunting effect is undeniable and will leave you pondering for days to come.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 5, 2024

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Morally devastating and thought-provoking, but not emotionally demanding enough to attain instant masterpiece status.

Rated: 8/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

Jason Best

Movie Talk

Kate may get her kit off for the lad, before donning a latex body suit in later scenes to portray Hannah in her sixties, but she reveals far more than skin in a searching performance that ranks among the finest of her career.

Nov 22, 2020

Full Review

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kendall w

The Reader pushes its characters on a journey to discover the truth of life, and how to define that truth. We, the viewer, are faced with two characters in the midst of life's most challenging tribulations as Hanna and Michael go through physical and moral dilemmas to discover what are their meanings of life. This is one of the rawest, emotional convicting films I have ever seen. Thank you cast and crew for this masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/13/24

Full Review

Loai S

If the reason for illiteracy is not a good reason to consider Hanna a war criminal, is the reason for ending the conflict enough to drop two nuclear bombs on the heads of innocent people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Hypocritical critics sometimes have a fish's memory regarding the crimes of their countries. Shameful!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/17/24

Full Review

Fabrícia F

A perspectiva de um homem que em sua adolescência viveu o primeiro amor nos braços de uma soldado alemã (Kate Winslet) na Segunda Guerra Mundial (1939-1945), e adulto, relembra o passado com as lentes da maturidade. Se a intenção desse roteiro era humanizar os personagens, cumpriu com êxito a missão.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

Hargie M

Brilliant performance from Kate, her Oscar justifies her performance in this film

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

Jack B

No question Kate Winslet it a terrific and versatile actress! The entire movie was really good and gives you quite the emotional rollercoaster. 😭😭😭 Easily one of the most powerful films I've ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

Mark D

After watching an analysis video on YouTube, I decided to purchase the movie on AppleTV and watch it myself. I thought Professor Bernhard either has a great imagination, or something similar must have happened to him in order to write the book the movie is based on. Regardless either one of the two scenarios, I was drawn in by the historical elements and the romance between Michael and Hanna. (Spoiler) The movie grabbed my emotions when Hanna stood up seeking some sort of emotional affirmation from Michael at the prison. Brilliant performance from Kate, her Oscar justifies her performance in this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/24

Full Review

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Stephen Daldry

Director

Kate Winslet

Hanna Schmitz

Ralph Fiennes

Older Michael

David Kross

Young Michael

Lena Olin

Rose Mather

Bruno Ganz

Professor Rohl

Show Less Cast & Crew

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The Reader: Official Clip - The Odyssey

1:18

The Reader: Official Clip - Hanna on Trial

2:12

The Reader: Official Clip - I Wrote the Report

2:51

The Reader: Official Clip - An Organization for Literacy

3:05

The Reader: Official Clip - Books on Tape

2:35

The Reader: Official Clip - Watching Hanna

2:47

The Reader: Official Clip - Morality and Law

0:59

The Reader: Official Clip - You've Grown Up, Kid

3:10

The Reader: Official Clip - Auschwitz Choices

2:47

The Reader: Official Clip - Reading

2:07

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Synopsis

Michael Berg (David Kross), a teen in postwar Germany, begins a passionate but clandestine affair with Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), an older woman who enjoys having classic novels read to her. Then Hanna mysteriously disappears, leaving Michael heartbroken and confused. Years later, Michael, now a law student, gets the shock of his life when he sees Hanna on trial for Nazi war crimes.

Director: Stephen Daldry
Producer: Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti, Redmond Morris
Screenwriter: David Hare
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Mirage Enterprises, Neunte Babelsberg
Rating: R (Some Scenes of Sexuality|Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.2M
Runtime: 2h 3m

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