• The Reader (2008)

    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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The Reader
58
metacriticBased on 38 Critics
72
Based on 171 Users

Release Date: December 10th, 2008

DVD Release Date: April 14th, 2009

R |2 hr 3 min

Plot Summary

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.

Cast: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross, Lena Olin, Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Hannah Herzsprung, Volker Bruch

Director: Stephen Daldry

Genres: Drama , Romance

Production Co: Mirage Enterprises, Neunte Babelsberg

Distributors: Weinstein Co.

Keywords: Mystery , Emotional , Love , Dark ,

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The Reader - Trailer No. 1

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 70
    Kirk HoneycuttThe Hollywood Reporter

    An engaging period drama. But German postwar guilt is not the most winning subject matter for the holiday season. show more

  • 75
    Carrie RickeyPhiladelphia Inquirer

    With this film Daldry, previously the director of "Billy Elliot" and "The Hours," proves himself the screen's reigning master at showing passion thwarted or repressed. show more

  • 60
    Joe MorgensternWall Street Journal

    The cast is superb: especially Kate Winslet, who transcends, by far, the limits of her character's narrow soul. Yet The Reader remains schematic, and ultimately reductive. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com

Awards

Nominated Best Director - Motion Picture
Golden Globes (2009)
Winner Best Performance By an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Golden Globes (2009)
Nominated Best Picture
Oscars Academy Awards (2008)
Nominated Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Oscars Academy Awards (2008)
Nominated Cinematography
Oscars Academy Awards (2008)
Nominated Adapted Screenplay
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2009)
Winner Actress in a Leading Role
Oscars Academy Awards (2008)
Nominated Best Motion Picture - Drama
Golden Globes (2009)
Nominated Directing
Oscars Academy Awards (2008)
Winner Leading Actress
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2009)
Nominated Cinematography
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2009)
Nominated Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Golden Globes (2009)
Nominated Film
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2009)
Winner Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2009)
Nominated Director
British Academy of Film & Television Arts (2009)