The Reader[2008]

When I see a movie, one of the things I alwayswatch intensly or try to figure out are the characters: who are they? How dothey feel? What is their story? What drives them? Everytime a film starts andthe story plays itself out, questions pop into my head; most of them getanswered, but there are always few that remain, and they stick in my head for along time, after the film is over. And although it bothers me, it is thatunfinished business that keeps the film in my heart and head for a long time. Seeing The Reader is a true example of that. Iloved the movie: it had a beautiful, sad story, soothing music and great sets,but yet again my mind comes back to the characters.Hanna, played fantastically by Kate Winslet,is a simple, straight-forwarded woman who lives a normal life, until she meetsyoung Michael, played by David Kross (the old Michael is played by RalphFiennes). The affair starts rather oddly and continues throughout the summer,with moments of love making and reading, as he reads to the older woman everybook he can get his hands on. It ends the same way, Hanna leaving withoutsaying goodbye to heart-broken Michael.  That sudden disappereance changes Michaelforever, stealing away all of his youth and passion.  After a few years, at a trial that he attendsduring his Law School years, he encounters Hana in a different, horrifing way,as the defendant in that case; she was a guard during Auswitchz. Since thatmoment on, the questions start popping in my head and they bother, actuallyennoy me, as I can’t, just simply can’t, understand what is going throughMichael’s head: is it sadness, shock and horror for the things she has done,loneliness, love and concern for her? Why didn’t he visit Hana in the prison?Why didn’t he save her by admitting to the court that she couldn’t read? Is thelove he was for her stopping him? Or is it disgust? I know the book has all the answers, or atleast better explains part of the story, but it does surprise me. I wish it wasmore clearer...or maybe it is and the problem is me. Or maybe that’s the wholeidea of the movie... All I know is that The Reader is a great workof art and you should see it: for Kate Winslet and her well diserved Oscar, forthe director’s view of things, for the music, for the fantastic young DavidKross and for the intensity that Ralph Fiennes shows.