The 2008 drama directed by Stephen Daldry was analyzed by many world film critics who did not skimp on meritorious reviews. The film "Reader" was recognized as a purely life story in which everything is quite sincere, provocative and paradoxical at the same time. The picture resembles the well-known masterpieces of German cinema, it is sensual, physiological, primitive, rude, at the same time sentimental and poetic. The fact that the drama was shot by the Americans is amazing, most reviewers emphasize this, despite the fact that the leading roles were played by leading British actors - Ralph Fiennes and Kate Winslet. True, the role of the protagonist in his youth was played by a novice actor from Germany, David Cross. However, with the exception of L. Olin, C. Winslet and R. Fiennes, exclusively German film actors starred in the movie.
Plot. Three milestones
Reader is a film whose actors embodied on the screen a story invented by the writer Bernhard Schlink. The narrative in the picture is conducted on behalf of the main character Michael Berg, it covers a time period of forty years. The protagonist begins his story with the events of 1958 that took place in the provincial town of Neustadt. Then still very young Michael, returning from school, is experiencing a serious attack of malaise, the conductor Hannah Schmitz comes to the aid of the boy. Having recovered from the disease, three months later, at the insistence of his mother, the hero comes to his savior in order to thank her. A violent romance erupts between a young man and a mature 36-year-old woman. After carnal pleasures, Hannah asks her to read books. Secret passion was not given to develop, once Michael in love discovers an empty apartment, his mistress disappears without a trace.
The passion between a mature woman and a teenager became the cause of dissatisfaction with the hypocrites among those who want to leave feedback. The film "Reader", according to the opinion of especially strict spectators, observers of morality, is not without reason rated R.
After 8 years
The plot narration of the movie drama is transferred to Heidelberg, 8 years have passed since the escape of Hannah. Michael, studying law in Heidelberg, is present at one of the show trials. In the dock, to his horror, the young man discovers Hannah. His first love is accused of involvement in the deaths of three hundred Jewish women. Hannah, working as an overseer in Auschwitz, did not open the door to the unfortunate woman who had taken refuge in the church during the fire, and as a result they all burned to death. The evidence is a report allegedly signed by Schmitz. Michael, remembering how he read books to his mistress, realizes that his ex-lover is illiterate and could not sign the document. But the young man is silent, Hannah is sentenced to life imprisonment.
This part of the storyline (especially the conscious silence of the protagonist) among the younger generation of viewers caused bewilderment, prompted to leave indignant reviews. The film "Reader", according to their presentation, is a melodrama. Unfortunately, for them, war is a distant concept, unlike love.
The final part of the tragedy
The climax of the story unfolds in the 1990s. Ten years later, Michael divorces his wife and returns to his hometown. He writes to the recorder the books that Hannah had read in the old days, and sends the notes to the woman who is serving her sentence. Hannah, comparing the text of books taken in the prison library with the received voice text, learns to read. Soon, the court decides to release the heroine, whose only acquaintance in freedom is Michael. A woman cares about his attitude to her, a man - the degree of remorse of the ex-lover for crimes against humanity.
There is no and cannot be a happy ending in the film. So say the world film critics who published their reviews. The film "Reader" is a masterpiece and tragedy at the same time, the story of endless complexes, mutilated destinies, love. It categorically could not have a happy end.
Acting ensemble. Kate Winslet
For the role of the main character of the film, Hannah Schmitz, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Juliette Binoche and Marion Cotillard were considered. Hannah appeared to the creators as a person with classical extremes, some deviations and even perversions. According to the director, the heroine should be one hundred percent true German at the beginning of the twentieth century. This is her and played by Kate Winslet. "Reader" presented the actress the opportunity to play one of the best roles in her career. Winslet played a character who can be condemned, hated, sorry, he does not leave indifferent. The actress, who declared herself in the Titanic, confirmed her talent in Enigma, demonstrated exemplary acting in the Life of David Gale, created the image of a man of the era, for which she received an Oscar.
Male actors
It should be noted the acting game of Ralph Fiennes and the talent that David Cross demonstrated. This is not the first time Fiennes takes part in the filming of Oscar-winning films; his filmography includes such masterpieces as The English Patient and Schindler's List. This serious, wise experience dramatic actor created a character who will completely remain in the memory of the viewer after watching. David Cross proved to be a promising, gifted actor. Ahead of him, a brilliant career and international recognition will surely await him.
Burghart Klaussner - a German actor who played a minor role as a judge in the drama "Reader", after participating in the project was spotted by the producers. Soon his filmography was replenished with the movie "White Ribbon", the thriller "Invasion". His last work is a role in the biographical drama “Blow Up Hitler” about the life of Georg Elser.
Psychological sophistication
"Reader" is a film whose actors have done everything possible to convey to the viewer the idea of the creators. The picture turned out to be atmospheric, similar to the Nuremberg Trials, equally cruel and truthful. Many leading film critics called the drama of Stephen Doldry a psychological and intellectual sophistication. Others - a film in memory of Anthony Mingell and Sidney Pollack - producers of the film who died during its production.