The Reader - My Review

Cast:
Male Lead: Ralph Fiennes as Michael Berg
Female Lead: Kate Winslet (Best Female Lead - Oscars 2009) as Hanna Schmitz
Young Male Lead: David Kross as Michael Berg

Rating: "A" not suitable for below 18 Yrs old.

The movie set during the WWII era in Germany (Around 1956); a 16year old kid Michael Berg one day on is way to home from school falls ill and is helped by a woman in mid 30’s, she helps him to reach home, the boy is bed ridden for the next 3 months but was unrest full to have not thanked the woman who helped him.

He goes back to the woman’s place with a bouquet to thank her for her kindness, but what’s in store for the kid was a life changing experience. The kid falls for the beauty and frequents her house everyday after school; there relationship soon turns into an affair of romance.

The kid after some visits asks her what is her name? She replies Hanna, the name which will haunt him for rest of his life. Hanna asks the kid to read out load his school literature novels before they make love daily. One day Hanna comes to know that she was promoted in office and was offered a nice desk job, but she comes home packs her bags and is never seen again, the kid goes to her place as usual after school to find the house empty.

10years later the Kid, who is in a Law school by now, happens to visit the Court with his professor and other school mates to witness the court proceedings finds Hanna in the accused chair in front of war crime tribunal. Hanna is not trying to defend her case and is not willing to giver her hand writing sample during the course of the trial, why does she abstain from doing so and when will Michael again met her is some thing I will leave it you to watch this movie.

Performances:

David Kross: As Young Michael was really good with his performance and showed all the emotions in equal strength, the scenes where he visits the court room and shows his frustration and anger which he couldn’t share with any one else, brought out the various facets of his acting abilities.

Kate Winslet: She bagged the Oscars for this role, so no comments…

Ralph Fiennes: As Michael Berg, though a very good actor did not have much to deliver in this movie.

*This movie is not a regular Hollywood masala movie, those who like adventure, action or family dramas stay away from this movie.