The Reader Review

A passionate affair amidst a backdrop of post-WWII Germany that ends mysteriously and law student Michael Berg is surprised to find his ex Hannah Schmitz defending war-crime convicts in trial. So law goes against morality and complex themes begin occupying the heart of this chilling narrative of a young man’s first sexual encounter.

Traversing into the uncomfortable territory of harrowing war crimes shows glimpses from the writings of Bernhard Schlink. An impetus borne out of the shameful, guilty conscience descends on the viewers as they learn about the secrets emanating from World War II – the what-s, how-s and why-s of the things that happened to fascinate us with nuances that create some very critical moments.

A personal view though: this film may increase reading habits. Reading books, as foreplay is not a very common concept and that may become a fad. At least, works like The Lady With The Little Dog, War and Peace and Lady Chatterley’s Lover shall find a new reader base as Huckleberry Finn and Tin Tin have.

The least this haunting story of the reader deserves is the highest acclaim. Both Kate Winslet and David Kross are absolutely dazzling in their respective roles, especially in portraying the different pains and conflicts and imparting the story a shocking, surprising and unsettling aura. Rooted in the Holocaust, it’s a very different catastrophic approach from a very valid angle.