Rent The Reader (2008)
3.7 of 5 from 1018 ratings
1h 58min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Academy Award® winner Kate Winslet delivers a dynamic performance in this tale of eroticism, secrecy and guilt set in turbulent post-Nazi Germany. Bringing to life the celebrated international novel, Winslet is riveting as Hannah Schmitz; a lonely, working-class woman who experiences a brief but intense affair with a teenage boy. Years later they meet again; Hannah now a defendant in a notorious case and her ex-lover, now a law student, holding the secret to her salvation.
- Actors:
- Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Bruno Ganz, Jeanette Hain, David Kross, Susanne Lothar, Alissa Wilms, Florian Bartholomäi, Friederike Becht, Matthias Habich, Frieder Venus, Marie-Anne Fliegel, Hendrik Arnst, Rainer Sellien, Torsten Michaelis, Moritz Grove, Joachim Tomaschewsky, Barbara Philipp, Hans Hohlbein, Jürgen Tarrach
- Directors:
- Stephen Daldry
- Voiced By:
- Klemen Novak
- Writers:
- David Hare, Bernhard Schlink
- Others:
- Chris Menges, Roger Deakins
- Studio:
- Entertainment In Video
- Genres:
- Drama
- Collections:
- 2009, 2010, Acting Up: British Actresses at the Oscars, Award Winners, BAFTA Nominations Competition 2024, CinemaParadiso.co.uk Through Time, Ireland At the Oscars, Oscar Nominations Competition 2024
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 25/05/2009
- Run Time:
- 118 minutes
- Languages:
- English Dolby Digital 5.1, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
- Colour:
- Colour
- Bonus:
- Deleted Scenes
- Adapting A Timeless Masterpiece: Making The Reader
- A Conversation with David Kross and Stephen Daldry
- Music from The Reader
- Production Design
- Theatrical Trailer
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Reviews (13) of The Reader
A first class cinematic experience - The Reader review by PT
This film will linger in your mind long after you have seen it. It is haunting and superbly acted by all the main stars. Irrespective of Hannah's (Winslet) past, I defy anyone not to feel sympathy for her. The scene when she and Fiennes meet after 20 odd years is so moving, watch the hands. Miss Winslet gives the performance of a lifetime, hugely worthy of her oscar for the role. A film I feel will be mentioned in the next publication of classic film books, like films you must see before you die etc.
7 out of 8 members found this review helpful.
I was only following orders - The Reader review by CP Customer
A magnificent movie with a superb performance from kate winslet. Two very powerful feelings are very much to the fore - GUILT and LOVE. I found the film very moving and whilst there was a background of genocide I did feel a sense of sorrow in the end. A MUST WATCH.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Pulp Fiction - The Reader review by CP Customer
With all the tremendous German films of late, it’s surprising that The Reader is predominately a British production, although Bruno Ganz features. The book upon which its based has been out since the mid-90’s and Hollywood’s fascination with the Nazi era as a library of source material continues. Kate Winslet goes through a wide range of emotions, ages and costumes, as she plays Hanna Schmitz, including a sizeable dose of bedroom action. I found it a similar epic role to that of Revolutionary Road. The main issue with The Reader is that it is far too safe, glossing over many issues (in spite of its long running time) and failing to land a knockout impact. In the hands of a more challenging director this would have been a more emotional and thought provoking film.
2 out of 8 members found this review helpful.