The Reader

R

Released Jan 9, 2009

2 hr. 3 min.

Drama

Romance

List

63%

204 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Michael Berg (David Kross), a teen in postwar Germany, begins a passionate but clandestine affair with Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), an older woman who enjoys having classic novels read to her. Then Hanna mysteriously disappears, leaving Michael heartbroken and confused. Years later, Michael, now a law student, gets the shock of his life when he sees Hanna on trial for Nazi war crimes.

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Critics Consensus

Despite Kate Winslet's superb portrayal, The Reader suggests an emotionally distant, Oscar-baiting historical drama.

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Hargie M

Brilliant performance from Kate, her Oscar justifies her performance in this film

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

Jack B

No question Kate Winslet it a terrific and versatile actress! The entire movie was really good and gives you quite the emotional rollercoaster. 😭😭😭 Easily one of the most powerful films I've ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

Mark D

After watching an analysis video on YouTube, I decided to purchase the movie on AppleTV and watch it myself. I thought Professor Bernhard either has a great imagination, or something similar must have happened to him in order to write the book the movie is based on. Regardless either one of the two scenarios, I was drawn in by the historical elements and the romance between Michael and Hanna. (Spoiler) The movie grabbed my emotions when Hanna stood up seeking some sort of emotional affirmation from Michael at the prison. Brilliant performance from Kate, her Oscar justifies her performance in this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/24

Full Review

Marcus H

There is nothing neat in the story of the Reader. It leaps from a charming coming of age story to a steadily unfolding tragedy without any redemption. If you like happy endings, then go somewhere else. The Reader does not bother with trying to rationalise the inexplicable in human relationships. It rather portrays, the frailty of moments in time like war, the law, predictable family relationships and the irrationalities of love and passion. Beautifully shot, tightly controlled directing and great performances from a fabulous cast enhance for me what was one of my best movie experiences over the last year.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/23

Full Review

Jacob H

Ralph Fiennes cannot play as the age he is meant to portray. He is playing 36 when we was actually about 48, and not aging well. He looks 60. Winslet, who is supposed to be 61 when she dies, is made up to look 90. We are meant to feel pity for a nazi war criminal because she is illiterate and like books. No such person ever lived. Almost feels like it was written by a holocaust apologist.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/21/23

Full Review

Luis M. D

The performances of Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes are excellent. But there's one point that can cause controversy. In order to dramatize or mystify Michael's personal relationship with Hannah, the narrative gives an excessive aura of complexity and mystery to Hannah's war crimes. This effect is reinforced by the fact that, even years after they were separated, Michael is not able to master his personal feelings and overcome the moral ambiguity he feels towards her, even knowing who she was. This becomes evident in the final scene.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

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Stephen Daldry

Director

Kate Winslet

Hanna Schmitz

Ralph Fiennes

Older Michael

David Kross

Young Michael

Lena Olin

Rose Mather

Bruno Ganz

Professor Rohl

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

If this film were a meal, it would be like having your pudding first, and then having to chew through one hell of a lot of wet spinach.

Aug 28, 2018

Full Review

Todd McCarthy

Variety

Stephen Daldry's film is sensitively realized and dramatically absorbing, but comes across as an essentially cerebral experience without gut impact.

Jul 6, 2010

Full Review

Kristin Tillotson

Minneapolis Star Tribune

If Winslet carries the complex psychological intrigue of the film on her shoulders, David Kross carries the heart of it on his.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 8, 2009

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Although the film offers no solution to the pained questions of culpability and intention, its haunting effect is undeniable and will leave you pondering for days to come.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 5, 2024

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Morally devastating and thought-provoking, but not emotionally demanding enough to attain instant masterpiece status.

Rated: 8/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

Jason Best

Movie Talk

Kate may get her kit off for the lad, before donning a latex body suit in later scenes to portray Hannah in her sixties, but she reveals far more than skin in a searching performance that ranks among the finest of her career.

Nov 22, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Michael Berg (David Kross), a teen in postwar Germany, begins a passionate but clandestine affair with Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), an older woman who enjoys having classic novels read to her. Then Hanna mysteriously disappears, leaving Michael heartbroken and confused. Years later, Michael, now a law student, gets the shock of his life when he sees Hanna on trial for Nazi war crimes.

Director: Stephen Daldry
Executive Producer: Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
Screenwriter: David Hare
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Mirage Enterprises, Neunte Babelsberg
Rating: R (Some Scenes of Sexuality|Nudity)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.2M

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