Mad Tiger Movie Review

I went to watch The Reader this morning starring Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz, Ralph Fiennes as the adult Michael Berg and David Kross as the young Michael Berg.

The Reader opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secret affair.

Michael discovers that Hanna likes to be read to and their physical relationship deepens. Hanna is enthralled as Michael reads to her from “The Odyssey,” “Huck Finn” and “The Lady with The Little Dog.” Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left heartbroken and confused.

Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life - this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna’s past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both their lives/ The Reader is a haunting story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another.

This film is based on the book of the same name written by Bernhard Schlink and nominated for 4 Golden Globes. As expected it is a great performance by Kate Winslet. There is a lot of nudity in this film so it is certainly not a film for children. I did like this film. I give it 3 and half tiger paws.