The Reader

Review: About a young, innocent, boy who has an affair with an older woman and the effect that it has on both their lives, The Reader is an impassioned story that challenges the bounds of love. The film almost seemed as if it were two movies, with the tone dramatically changing in the second half. The plot point that causes this shift is provoking and unsettling-- exactly how it was meant to be portrayed. The agony of the love and hurt that Michael Berg, played by Ray Fiennes and David Kross, experiences is palpable. The affair between he and Hanna, played by Kate Winslet, felt authentic and seeing this relationship irreversibly torn is affecting. Although not without its flaws, the brilliant performance by Kate Winslet and the genuine emotions that this film evokes makes it worth the watch.
Rating: 4/5

Award Consideration: While worthy of the best picture nomination, it doesn't beat out Slumdog or even Milk. I didn't feel it brought anything overly special to the table, it was simply a very well made film. Kate Winslet, however, redeemed herself from what I felt was a poor performance in Revolutionary Road, with a great performance here. As of now, I'd put her as the front runner for best actress.

Stephen Daldry is nominated for best director, and is certainly deserving of the nomination, delicately constructing this emotional love story. However, for the same reasons that I don't think it should win for best picture, I don't think Daldry should get the Oscar. Both Boyle and Van Sant do more with their films and had more to manage.

Two other awards I don't feel The Reader should grab which it is nominated for are best cinematography best adapted screenplay. I didn't feel it was an especially pretty film, so the cinematography award doesn't seem to fit. I haven't read the books for any of the films nominated for best adapted screenplay, so all I can go by is how much I enjoyed the film. Therefore, I'm sticking with Slumdog for this award as well.