The Reader film review

Review

Cast & crew

The Reader

(2008)

Director Stephen Daldry and The Hours screenwriter David Hare reteam for this adaptation of Bernhard Schlink's novel, which provides a sombre reflection on how the Second World War fractured the German psyche. Oscar-winning Kate Winslet excels in the difficult role of Hanna, a woman whose lack of education drew her into working as a prison guard for the SS. Daldry is quite canny not to show us her crimes, instead focusing on her later misery. She seeks solace in a sexual relationship with fresh-faced teenager Michael (David Kross), who reads to her in bed and is unaware of her past. But her secret years are revealed later at a public trial, and in his later life Michael (now played by Ralph Fiennes) is the one forced to shoulder the burden of regret and reconciliation. Although it is patronising to suggest that poor schooling can impair moral judgement to such an extreme, Daldry's film is sensitively handled and has a great emotional impact. SP

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Running time

118min

Country of origin

US / Ger

Genre

Romantic Drama

Alternate title

Der Vorleser

Original language

English

Screenplay

David Hare, from the novel by Bernhard Schlink

Theatrical distributor

Entertainment

UK cinema certificate

UK cinema release date

January 2009




awards information


	Award	Category	Name	Nominee/Winner

	Academy 2008	Actress in a Leading Role	Kate Winslet	Winner
	Academy 2008	Best Picture	Donna Gigliotti	Nominee
	Academy 2008	Best Picture	Anthony Minghella	Nominee
	Academy 2008	Best Picture	Redmond Morris	Nominee
	Academy 2008	Best Picture	Sydney Pollack	Nominee
	Academy 2008	Directing	Stephen Daldry	Nominee
	Academy 2008	Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published)	David Hare	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2008	Best Film	Anthony Minghella	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2008	Best Film	Donna Gigliotti	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2008	Best Film	Redmond Morris	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2008	Best Film	Sydney Pollack	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2008	Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role	Kate Winslet	Winner
	British Academy Film Awards 2008	Best Screenplay (Adapted)	David Hare	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2008	The David Lean Award for the Best Achievement in Direction	Stephen Daldry	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2008	Best Director Motion Picture	Stephen Daldry	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2008	Best Motion Picture Drama	Donna Gigliotti	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2008	Best Motion Picture Drama	Anthony Minghella	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2008	Best Motion Picture Drama	Redmond Morris	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2008	Best Motion Picture Drama	Sydney Pollack	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2008	Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Motion Picture	Kate Winslet	Winner
	Golden Globe 2008	Best Screenplay Motion Picture	David Hare	Nominee