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The Reader

R Released Jan 9, 2009 2h 3m Drama Romance List
63% Tomatometer 204 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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The Reader

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Marcus H There is nothing neat in the story of the Reader. It leaps from a charming coming of age story to a steadily unfolding tragedy without any redemption. If you like happy endings, then go somewhere else. The Reader does not bother with trying to rationalise the inexplicable in human relationships. It rather portrays, the frailty of moments in time like war, the law, predictable family relationships and the irrationalities of love and passion. Beautifully shot, tightly controlled directing and great performances from a fabulous cast enhance for me what was one of my best movie experiences over the last year. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/24/23 Full Review Jacob H Ralph Fiennes cannot play as the age he is meant to portray. He is playing 36 when we was actually about 48, and not aging well. He looks 60. Winslet, who is supposed to be 61 when she dies, is made up to look 90. We are meant to feel pity for a nazi war criminal because she is illiterate and like books. No such person ever lived. Almost feels like it was written by a holocaust apologist. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 12/21/23 Full Review Luis M. D The performances of Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes are excellent. But there's one point that can cause controversy. In order to dramatize or mystify Michael's personal relationship with Hannah, the narrative gives an excessive aura of complexity and mystery to Hannah's war crimes. This effect is reinforced by the fact that, even years after they were separated, Michael is not able to master his personal feelings and overcome the moral ambiguity he feels towards her, even knowing who she was. This becomes evident in the final scene. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

The Reader

The Reader: Official Clip - The Odyssey The Reader: Official Clip - The Odyssey 1:18 The Reader: Official Clip - Hanna on Trial The Reader: Official Clip - Hanna on Trial 2:12 The Reader: Official Clip - I Wrote the Report The Reader: Official Clip - I Wrote the Report 2:51 The Reader: Official Clip - An Organization for Literacy The Reader: Official Clip - An Organization for Literacy 3:05 The Reader: Official Clip - Books on Tape The Reader: Official Clip - Books on Tape 2:35 The Reader: Official Clip - Watching Hanna The Reader: Official Clip - Watching Hanna 2:47 The Reader: Official Clip - Morality and Law The Reader: Official Clip - Morality and Law 0:59 The Reader: Official Clip - You've Grown Up, Kid The Reader: Official Clip - You've Grown Up, Kid 3:10 The Reader: Official Clip - Auschwitz Choices The Reader: Official Clip - Auschwitz Choices 2:47 The Reader: Official Clip - Reading The Reader: Official Clip - Reading 2:07 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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