The Reader (2008) - REVIEW

Some might consider this blasphemous, but there are actually some books out there that are better on the big screen, and Bernhard Schlink's "The Reader" is one of them. Opening in the 1940's in Berlin, 15 year old Michael Berg (David Kross) becomes violently ill on his way home from school. After stopping to recover a bit, a woman named Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet) walks by and takes him up to her apartment, before walking him home. When Michael returns 3 months later (his condition forced him to stay inside) to thank her, and after a few awkward visits, the two make love. This blossoms into an affair that lasts over the summer, where Michael and Hanna not only have a romantic relationship, but also a literary one; Hanna becomes enamored with the way Michael reads aloud, and begs him to read her whatever he's studying in school. After the relationship abruptly comes to an end, Michael next sees Hanna in 1966, during part of the Nazi war trials, where she is on trial for being a guard at Auschwitz. For a movie that could have simply made Winslet's character a cheap villain, director Stephen Daldry and writer David Hare keep a surprisingly balanced portrayal of the character. The film also succeeds thanks to its three central performances (Kross, Winslet, and Ralph Fiennes as Michael in his later years). Winslet is particularly luminous as Hanna, a woman who's hiding many secrets, yet also capable of showing tremendous feelings. A scene in which Hanna sits in a church listening to a children's choir is particularly well executed, with the camera focused on Hanna's face; the range of emotions Winslet displays is damn impressive. The cinematography, while not flashy, does an effective job with the bleak scenery, and the score fits the tone of the film, even if it does feel a bit like a Philip Glass rip-off. Just when you thought that all of those Holocaust movies were all the same, Daldry and crew have created something elegant, something beautifully acted, and something different in all the right ways.

Grade: A-

Nominations: Best Supporting Actress - Kate Winslet, Best Supporting Actor - David Kross, Best Adapted Screenplay - David Hare, Best Original Score

Number of 2008 films seen: 52

New poster for "The Reader"

It's not a bad poster, but I think it doesn't represent the story properly. Though there is a steamy affair at the center of "The Reader", it's hardly "Notes on a Scandal: Holocaust Edition". This poster gives the film too much of a Gossip-Girl-In-Nazi-Germany look...

Kate Winslet: This year's award season double threat

EDIT: No, I did not write this. I forgot where I saw it, but if I ever find it, I'll list the source to give credit. Sorry for any confusion.

Kate Winslet Brings Sexy Back — And Reading

I spent the better part of yesterday screening the two Kate Winslet films up for Oscar consideration and ready for holiday release: "The Reader" and "Revolutionary Road."

The good news is: they are each excellent. It’s a total win-win situation for Winslet, who shows such an incredible breadth of talent in these two polar opposite films that critics and fans are going to start calling her "Meryl Streep, Jr."

Stephen Daldry’s "The Reader" has a lot going for it, not the least of which is some sexy material. In a dry season "The Reader" benefits not just a little from Winslet’s cougar-esque Hanna’s many naked tanglings with Michael, played by 18 year old David Kross, a German actor who had to learn English for the movie. (He’s supposed to be 15 on screen.)

The Reader is based on the novel by Bernard Schlink, which was highly praised, a bestseller and a choice of Oprah’s Book Club. The subject is serious, since after Michael’s summer fling with Hanna circa 1964 he discovers that she’s on trial in Berlin as a war criminal. Hanna and several other women are being tried as Nazi guards who caused the particular death of 300 Jewish women.

Winslet and Kross have sizzling chemistry in the film, and Ralph Fiennes—as the adult Michael—could not be better. Daldry is unsparing of Hanna as a villain, and makes no apologies for her participation in the Holocaust. Neither, frankly, does Hanna, and that’s what makes the movie so fascinating. There is no tendency to cliché. Rather, "The Reader" has also the earmarks of a Best Picture nominee, a movie about an intimate relationship set against the backdrop of an Important Issue.

Winslet is a revelation in "The Reader," and quite different than in "Rev Road" (see below). That she could have both movies in one season is really the achievement. In "The Reader" she not only ages drastically, but she manages to convey with depth the emotions of a sexually voracious 40 year old and an embittered, incarcerated 60 year old. And, as it turns out, each of these personas also shares one more: a concentration camp guard with no regrets.

"The Reader" has its own strong foundation in a David Hare screenplay, not to mention a vibrant musical score by Alberto Iglesias and a gorgeous palate supplied by cinematographer Chris Menges. The only problem now is convincing Academy voters that Winslet should be considered ‘supporting’ here instead of lead since she’s on screen most of the time. She will go into competition with Penelope Cruz, Viola Davis, Amy Adams, Marisa Tomei and Rosemarie Dewitt – just to name a few.

One thing about "The Reader"—unlike, say, "Valkyrie" and "Defiance," you will not see any swastikas or Nazi uniforms. You will hear much discussion of the Holocaust, however, which makes it itself the opposite of "Valkyrie" in its subject matter and intentions.

PS The literati-oriented audience at "The Reader" screening last night loved it. Among the fans: famed book agent Lynn Nesbit, journalist Marie Brenner, and novelist Walter Moseley. Daldry took questions from the small group, not one of which was about Hollywood. Everyone wanted to discuss the Holocaust, the characters’ motivations, and the sublime execution of this landmark film...

Trailer for "The Reader"

Actually looks better than I thought it would. Kind of interesting that the teen actor never gets his name shown even though he'll probably be on screen more than Fiennes or Winslet....

Unsettling news for "The Reader"

Basic re-shoots a few months from release are nothing to be worried about....but actual COMPLETION of the film? Round the clock editing/scoring sessions? Yikes....

Source: The LA Times.

Scott Rudin is walking away from "The Reader." The Oscar winning producer, who has been embroiled for weeks in a nasty squabble with Harvey Weinstein over the release date of the film, has decided to quit the project and take his name off the film. The two men have had a very contentious public feud over Weinstein's insistence that the film be released this year for Oscar consideration. Rudin and the film's director, Stephen Daldry, had insisted they needed more time to finish the picture. After intense negotiations, they eventually agreed late last month that, in return for Weinstein putting up more money for round-the-clock editing, scoring sessions and optical work, Daldry would finish the film in time for a Dec. 12th release.

In recent days, negotiations had apparently taken a turn for the worse. Upset with Weinstein and worried that many of his long-standing talent relationships would be harmed, Rudin decided to separate himself from the project. Daldry remains contractually obligated to complete the film, though it's uncertain of how he will complete the film without Rudin, a longtime collaborator with both Daldry and David Hare, who were the creative team on "The Hours." There have been constant rumors that the Weinstein Co., whose hits have been few and far between, has financial problems which may have contributed to Rudin's departure. It's also possible that the two men simply can't put their personal differences aside long enough to get the movie into theaters. Whatever the root cause, this is another body blow to "The Reader," which loses a strong producer who is always a major force during awards season. Rudin will continue as producer of two other year-end pictures, "Revolutionary Road" and "Doubt."

"The Reader" finally gets a release date as Rudin and Weinstein settle feud

Looks like Kate Winslet will continue to ride two Oscar ponies on the best actress derby track.

Forget the vicious gossip you've been hearing that Scott Rudin is battling behind the scenes to stop Harvey Weinstein from pushing up the release of the film they produced together, "The Reader" so it can land in this Oscar derby. Rudin also produced "Revolutionary Road," which stars Kate Winslet too and is a major contender for Oscars.

Some of the rumors have been juicy. One is that Rudin will trip Harvey up with a nasty lawsuit. Another claims that Winslet told Harvey that, if he continues with this reckless plan to release "The Reader" on Dec. 12, she'll refuse to do any Oscar campaigning. Actors, remember, can be nominated for only one film per category, and it's logical to assume that she'd prefer to be nominated for her role in "Revolutionary Road," directed by her husband, Sam Mendes (Oscar champ, "American Beauty"). Read more about both pix HERE.

Another rumor claims that Harvey's so hellbent to get "The Reader" out in time for the next Oscars that he'll release it in December even if it's not quite finished. The film was still in rough cut when it was screened recently in Manhattan, generating such positive reax that Harvey pushed up its release. It's true that "The Reader's" director has another major, timely demand weighing on him right now: Stephen Daldry is rushing to debut the stage adaptation of "Billy Elliot" on Broadway Nov. 13.

But to clear up all of these dramas, Rudin and Weinstein just issued this notice: "We are issuing this statement together to emphasize the fact that we are in complete agreement on the date we have chosen to release 'The Reader.' Working together, we developed a plan to extend the post-production schedule in order to give Stephen Daldry the additional time he needs to successfully complete the film in time to release it on December 12, 2008."

Stephen Daldry adds: "On their own, Scott and Harvey spent this weekend working together to find a way to accommodate my needs so that I may fulfill my obligation to the studio without compromising my vision for the film. I am thrilled and relieved that we have all found a way forward to work together to bring 'The Reader' to theaters this year."

Let's hope this isn't what Kate Winslet REALLY looks like in 40 years

A newly released picture of Kate on the set of her new film, the Holocaust drama "The Reader" also starring Ralph Fiennes.