I’ve been watching a few movies recently but nothing worth recommending until this one. It’s provocative and disturbing and profound. Tissues are required.
**NO SPOILERS**
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Released in 2008 and directed by Stephen Daldry via Miramax Films. From the critically acclaimed 1995 book by Bernhard Schlink and produced by Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack, both of whom died before the movie was released.
The movie stars Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz, newcomer David Kross as Michael Berg and Ralph Fiennes as the older Michael.
The story starts in Berlin more than a decade after the Second World War ends. Hanna and Michael meet and commence a love affair that surprises, delights and disturbs. Hanna is the controlling older woman and she dictates the summer long relationship before one day leaving unexpectedly. Michael is devastated and carries the effect with him until they cross paths again in shocking circumstances many years later.
The storyline tackles the tough themes of communication, of guilt and of reconciliation and of coming to terms with the past.
The cinematography is gritty, the direction is sensitive though unsentimental but the flashback format took me a little while to settle in to. The performances are superb especially Kate Winslet who won a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a Screen Actors Guild Award and the Academy Award for Best Actress for this film. Stephen Daldry was nominated for the Best Director Oscar and the movie was nominated for Best Picture but lost out to Slumdog Millionaire.
Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a movie that provokes thought. Oh, and I really do mean it about the tissues, I cried absolute buckets.
Next to my beloved Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet is probably one of the greatest actresses onscreen right now.
ReplyDeleteI agree Bob, she's fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI read the book some time ago. I always find it hard to enjoy a movie once I have read the written word.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy Kate in most movies she does though.
I saw this movie a while back and I agree with "shocking circumstances". It was one of those movies that started slow but made you glad you stuck with it.
ReplyDeleteLou, we loved The Reader as well. Kate Winslet was amazing as Hanna. There aren't many roles she takes, that we didn't like.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book Lori so I can;t say categorically but this really is a good movie. Kate Winslet is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI did love that movie, Lou. It is a wonderful experience, that truly makes you think.
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