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The Reader

(DVD - - 2009)
Average Rating: 2 stars out of 5.
The Reader


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"What have we learned (and what might we have forgotten) from history's bloody backwash? Guilt, love, and history are three skeins, woven together to create human beings or, alternately, human monsters. The question of wartime culpability undergirds the May-December romance in postwar Berlin between

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"What have we learned (and what might we have forgotten) from history's bloody backwash? Guilt, love, and history are three skeins, woven together to create human beings or, alternately, human monsters. The question of wartime culpability undergirds the May-December romance in postwar Berlin between Hanna, a weary-looking, sexually rapacious streetcar ticket-taker and Michael, a young schoolboy whom she seduces, ravenously and to his great delight. One day, Hanna is gone, with no explanation, and Michael grows into a promising young law student. His class attends a trial, where the new Germany judges the past and, by default, the lovers as well."--Container.

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Imprint: [New York, N.Y.] : Santa Monica, Calif. - Weinstein Co Home Entertainment , Distributed by Genius Products
Edition: Widescreen version
Language: English and French
Other language: In English or dubbed French with optional subtitles in English for the deaf and hard of hearing, or Spanish
Awards & Distinctions: Academy Awards 2009: Winner, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Kate Winslet
Credits: Directors of photography, Chris Menges, Roger Deakins ; production designer, Brigitte Broch ; editor, Claire Simpson ; music, Nico Muhly ; English novel translation by Carol Brown Janeway.
Performers: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross, Lena Olin, Bruno Ganz, Karoline Herfurth, Linda Bassett, Hannah Herzsprung, Susanne Lothar, Volker Bruch, Matthias Habich.
Notes: DVD, NTSC; Region 1; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround; widescreen presentation, preserving the aspect ratio of the original theatrical exhibition, 1.85:1, enhanced for widescreen televisions
Based on the book "Der Vorleser" by Bernhard Schlink
Originally produced as a motion picture in 2008
Special features : Deleted scenes (42 min.); "The Reader:" Adapting a timeless masterpiece [featurette] (23 min.); A conversation with David Kross & Stephen Daldry [featurette] (10 min.); Kate Winslet on the art of aging Hanna Schmitz [featurette] (13 min.); A new voice: a look at composer Nico Muhly [featurette] (4 min.); Coming to grips with the past: production designer Brigitte Broch [featurette] (8 min.); Theatrical trailer (3 min.)
Michael -- Chance meeting -- Flowers for Hanna -- First encounter -- Lessons in love -- Misunderstanding -- Odyssey -- Cycling holiday -- Sophie and Hanna -- Julia -- Law school -- Trial -- Truth about the guards -- Everyone knew -- Stutthof concentration camp -- No answers -- Piece of information -- Verdict -- Return to reading -- Lady with the little dog -- Reunited -- Hanna's release -- Forgiveness -- End credits
Statement of responsibility: the Weinstein Company presents ; a Mirage Enterprises production ; a Neunte Babelsberg Film GmBH production ; directed by Stephen Daldry ; screenplay by David Hare ; produced by Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti, Redmond Morris
Characteristics: 1 videodisc (124 min.) :,sd., col. ;,4 3/4 in.
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Mar 25, 2013
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  • angie_3 rated this: 4 stars out of 5.

This is a very touching and sad movie. It's very well done. There is some content not meant for younger audiences.

hey kid what are u ? chinese or japanese

Dec 17, 2012
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  • Monolith rated this: 4 stars out of 5.

Definitely a sad story. Winslet is excellent; David Kross as young Michael Berg and the great Ralph Fiennes as well. I was, like many others, flabbergasted at young Michael's silence in dealing with Hanna's sentencing for a report she couldn't possibly have been responsible for. But I'm also somewhat surprised at the lack of commentary about the ages of the above, and their adult relationship that summer in '58. If I'm not mistaken, Michael was fifteen, and at movie's end we see that Hanna was born in '22, which would've made her 36. I wonder, if the genders were reversed, and the fifteen year old was female, would we be hearing an uproar of "statutory rape!"? Interesting...

Nov 19, 2011
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  • kwarah rated this: 5 stars out of 5.

This ILLITRATE woman, ashamed of admitting of being illitrate, paid a very heavy price for crimes committed by the NAZI's. Micheal could have testified the woman is illitrate, therefore not responsible for the report of the 300 dead ppeople. This is injustice at it's best. VERY SAD FILM!!!!

Aug 29, 2011
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  • hellyale rated this: 4 stars out of 5.

Plot : 4 Stars Acting: 5 Stars Predictability: 3 Stars Makes me want to read to ladies: 5 Stars. Have to see a penis: 1 star. Frustration at one characters stubbornness: 5 stars Natural, unfolding in a slow yet steady pace, hooking and dragging you for the ride. Some loose ends but nothing too major. This movie will leave you questioning the system of justice our culture takes for granted. The questions of law being situational, and character judgement not taken in to consideration. Sad yet Happy, Seductive yet innocent. Not recommended for those under the age of 13.

Jul 31, 2011
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  • bdls206 rated this: 4.5 stars out of 5.

This was an incredible movie, great acting and a wonderful script. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. Good movie for a date night.

Jul 07, 2011
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  • bstudent rated this: 4 stars out of 5.

although a romantic/drama, ewh...a solid movie/story.

Jun 07, 2011
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  • SheilaHN rated this: 5 stars out of 5.

This is by far one of the best movie I've watched. Its entertaining, humorous, and thought provoking. Winslet did an excellent job portraying the complex character of Hanna and David Kross was absolutely convincing as the innocent, sensitive and torn, young Michael Berg. To me, Michael's inaction at the trial was due to multi layer of reasons. He was ashamed of his association with Hanna. He was angry and felt betrayed. Her chosen silence seem to re-affirm her guilt. Most of all, I think there was a part of him especially after visiting Auschwitz that may feel Hanna deserves to pay for her crime. Most people don't take the hardest path even though they know its the right thing to do. Unfortunately, its the real world. To me, his inaction was very realistic. Contrary to many, I don't think this is a sad film. It's very moving and about a serious subject, the Holocaust, but the ending was full of hope. I really like that this movie tells the story of the Holocaust from a different angle, an angle I did not expect. It broadened my perspective on the subject...and makes me pause for a moment to think about this and feel something for someone like Hanna. When a movie can do that, its really something. Highly recommend this movie and can't wait to read the book next.

Mar 14, 2011
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  • dragonsnakes rated this: 4 stars out of 5.

Great movie, but the themes are for adults. Winslet does an excellent portrayal and the movie is touching.

Jan 18, 2011
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  • EmersonJohnston rated this: 4 stars out of 5.

Great movie. Makes you think Life is complex rarely black and white BUT Go read the BOOK you won't be disappointed (I hope)

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Age

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Jul 31, 2011
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  • bdls206 rated this: 4.5 stars out of 5.

bdls206 thinks this title is suitable for 17 years and over

Oct 31, 2009
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  • cstabix rated this: 5 stars out of 5.

cstabix thinks this title is suitable for 12 years and over

Summary

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Sep 06, 2011
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  • haploU5 rated this: 3.5 stars out of 5.

A fifteen year old boy, Michael, has an affair with an older woman, Hanna, in post WWII Germany. Hanna, lonely and a little troubled, seems to get solace from having Michael read to her. One day, Michael stops by her appartment only to find her gone. Years later, Michael is a law student and attends a Nazi war crime trial where they meet again.

Jul 31, 2011
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  • bdls206 rated this: 4.5 stars out of 5.

Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.

Notices

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Feb 21, 2012
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  • raghoud87 rated this: 4 stars out of 5.

Sexual Content: and nudity

Jul 31, 2011
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  • bdls206 rated this: 4.5 stars out of 5.

Sexual Content: This title contains Sexual Content.

Quotes

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Dec 17, 2012
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  • Monolith rated this: 4 stars out of 5.

Teacher: "The notion of secrecy is central to Western literature. You may say, the whole idea of character is defined by people holding specific information which for various reasons, sometimes perverse, sometimes noble, they are determined not to disclose."

Jul 31, 2011
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  • bdls206 rated this: 4.5 stars out of 5.

Michael: I'm not frightened. I'm not frightened of anything. The more I suffer, the more I love. Danger will only increase my love. It will sharpen it, forgive its vice. I will be the only angel you need. You will leave life even more beautiful than you entered it. Heaven will take you back and look at you and say: Only one thing can make a soul complete and that thing is love.

Jul 31, 2011
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  • bdls206 rated this: 4.5 stars out of 5.

Hanna Schmitz: It doesn't matter what I feel. It doesn't matter what I think. The dead are still dead.

Videos

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Jul 31, 2011
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  • bdls206 rated this: 4.5 stars out of 5.

The Reader Trailer

Jul 18, 2010
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  • jamanda rated this: 4 stars out of 5.

The Reader

Trailer

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