The Reader [Blu-ray]The Reader [Blu-ray]
What is the nature of guilt–and how can the human spirit survive when confronted with deep and horrifying truths? The Reader, a hushed and haunting meditation on these knotty questions, is sorrowful and shocking, yet leavened by a deep love story that is its heart. In postwar Germany, young schoolboy Michael (German actor David Cross) meets and begins a tender romance with the older, mysterious Hanna (Kate Winslet, whose performance is a revelation). The two make love hungrily in Hanna’s shabby apartment, yet their true intimacy comes as Michael reads aloud to Hanna in bed, from his school assignments, textbooks, even comic books. Hanna delights in the readings, and Michael delights in Hanna. Years later, the two cross paths again, and Michael (played as an adult by Ralph Fiennes) learns, slowly, horrifyingly, of acts that Hanna may have been involved in during the war. There is a war crimes trial, and the accused at one point asks the panel of prosecutors: “Well, what would you have done?” It is that question–as one German professor says later: “How can the next generation of Germans come to terms with the Holocaust?”–that is both heartbreaking and unanswerable. Winslet plays every shade of gray in her portrayal of Hanna, and Fiennes is riveting as the man who must rewrite history–his own and his country’s–as he learns daily, hourly, of deeds that defy categorization, and morality. “No matter how much washing and scrubbing,” one character says matter of factly, “some sins don’t wash away.” The Reader (with nods to similar films like Sophie’s Choice and The English Patient dares to present that unnerving premise, without offering an easy solution. –A.T. Hurley Stills from The Reader (Click for larger image)
Rating:  List Price: $ 29.95 Price: $ 9.68 |
(out of 26 reviews)
Review by Matthew T. Weflen for The Reader [Blu-ray]
Rating:
The film:
“The Reader” deserved its Oscar for best actress, but it also deserved the Oscar for best film (it lost to the inferior “Slumdog Millionaire.”) It tells the tale of a young man growing up in post-war Germany who has an affair with a mysterious older woman. Without spoiling too much, the story ends up touching on the holocaust, how much we can blame participants, and whether or not love transcends these historical pains.
Normally, I dislike holocaust films. I find that Hollywood too often beats us over the head with the “it’s BAD” message (This Just In! Hollywood Geniuses Discover Holocaust Was Bad!) as opposed to mining the much more interesting tales of personal struggle, loss, redemption, and ignorance. “The Reader” offers an intelligent, probing, and insightful look at the human costs on those who were not direct victims, and on the society of post-war Germany at large. It also tells a heck of a love story, to boot.
I felt so respected by the makers of this film. There is no heavy-handed moralizing, in fact, the message of the film seems to be that, while of course there are great moral wrongs that have been perpetrated, there are lesser consequences which do not make it into history books, but do have an impact on real people and deal them real pains that ought to be respected.
As mentioned in other reviews, this is not a movie for the kids, at least not kids who still titter when they see nudity on screen. The first half of the film is consumed by a lusty affair between a 32 year old and a 15 year old. It’s not for immature audiences.
The Blu-Ray:
On the opening scene, I thought this film must be shot on digital. The source was just too clean, with little to no film grain in evidence. Upon further research, however, I have discovered that it was indeed shot on Kodak Vision2 and Vision3 film – which Kodak advertises as producing less grain in low light and in general. Given this, and the fact that detail is generally so strong in this image, I can only assume that this Blu-Ray has been mastered without excessive Digital Noise Reduction.
It is a lovely 1.85:1 image which suits nice widescreen displays beautifully. Black levels are strong, loads of detail is evident in shadows, and colors are extremely naturalistic. There are many moments that offer the sort of “3-D” realism that the best HD can give. The quality of the image adds immediacy and impact to the already involving film.
Audio is very dialogue driven. This is not a BD that will rock your neighbors.
Extras are very strong. 42 minutes (!) of deleted scenes are presented in 480p widescreen. I watched them all, and I would say only one cut was truly unfortunate – a little bit of backstory for Michael’s law professor that would have added depth to the story. Mini-documentaries are also available, touching on the writing and casting process, as well as Kate Winslet’s aging with make-up. Overall, it’s a very strong slate of extras.
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Any fan of serious dramas and romances would do quite well to pick this up. It’s a truly great movie that is very affecting and also thought provoking. It’s a monument to respecting the viewer, allowing them to digest complex morality without beating them over the head with a “message.” I would compare it to films like “The English Patient” or “I’ve Loved You So Long” (another 2008 Oscar Nominee).
It is also presented in an exceedingly beautiful HD transfer and a strong package of extras. Certainly, if you’re doing a survey of 2008 Oscar nominees, you should pick this up over the trite, pat Hollywood fare of “Slumdog.” It’s also better than the very good, but somewhat flabby “Benjamin Button,” and the excellent, but not as brainy “Milk.” I can’t recommend it enough.
Review by terpfan1980 for The Reader [Blu-ray]
Rating:
To be clear from the beginning, this is not a movie for family viewing. Throughout much of the early portions of the film viewers are treated to relatively graphic nudity for both Kate Winslet and the young man (David Kross) that plays the younger version of Ralph Fiennes.
The film covers the tale of Hanna (Winslet) and Michael (Fiennes/Kross) and their relationship and lives. The setting is NOT World War II, but is actually post WWII, starting in 1958, as well as portions set in the 60′s and 70′s, up thru the 1990′s.
Rather than spoiling the story, I’ll stop providing details on the story there, and simply say it is quite interesting. The story is based on a best-seller by Bernhard Schlink, and the filmed version features an award winning performance by Kate Winslet (Academy Award and Golden Globe). On Blu-ray the film looks beautiful showing excellent detail and clarity. The audio quality is also excellent though the film is not an action-thriller and doesn’t feature the typical booming explosions and sound effects.
Most definitely worth viewing, but again not something that most families would screen around younger family members. The R rating is most definitely deserved for the graphic nudity. The language is actually surprising clean as the film focuses on the story rather than mixing in profanity just for shock value. Not necessarily a film that will be watched repeatedly, but definitely a film worth viewing.
Review by Grady Harp for The Reader [Blu-ray]
Rating:
THE READER in the form of Bernard Schlink’s masterful book made an emotional impact on those who read it. And for once the book to film version holds nearly as much agony and beauty as the original. The screenplay is by David Hare (whose transformation of ‘The Hours’ was so worthy) and it captures not only the dialogue of Schlink’s novel but fills in the silences with well-constructed added commentary. Stephen Daldry (‘The Hours’, ‘Billy Elliot’) directs with great sensitivity to not only the narrative story but to the myriad metaphors that fill the quiet spaces in both the novel and the film.
Michael Berg (David Kross, a significant discovery!) lives in Berlin, falls ill with Scarlet Fever, and is given shelter from the rain and cold by a stern appearing Hanna (Kate Winslet). When Michael recovers from his illness he returns to Hanna’s flat to thank her for her kindness and there begins a strange and beautiful love affair between a virginal shy lad and an older but obviously emotionally flat yet needy woman. Despite Michael’s family’s disdain for his absences away from home, Michael surrenders himself to the passion of love and Hanna softens as she pleads for Michael to read to her. Reading and sex become exchanges for this rare couple until Hanna disappears. Michael discovers her some ears later when Hanna is on trial for war crimes (she had been a guard in the concentration camps). Hanna allows her guilt to override reality in confessing she had been the one who had written the orders for the extermination of Jews – this despite the fact that Hanna is illiterate, a fact known only to Michael.
While Hanna is imprisoned Michael (now Ralph Fiennes) records his reading of books to send to Hanna and during Hanna’s twenty years of confinement she learns to read and write because of Michael’s efforts and gifts. Once Hanna is scheduled to be released from prison and the prison matron convinces Michael to be in charge of the aging Hanna, the story takes turns and the ending is so gently painful that sharing it would ruin the impact for those who have neither read the book nor seen the film.
Winslet, Kross, and Fiennes are excellent in these very difficult roles. Their performances are enhanced with the supporting cast that includes special cameos by Lena Olin and Bruno Ganz and some other fine German actors. The mood of the film is gray except of the isolated moments of bliss Michael and Hanna share and the atmosphere is well balanced by the musical score of Nico Muhly. This is a film worth viewing repeatedly, there are that many layers of meaning to glean from this cinematic triumph. Grady Harp, February 10
Review by Dennis W. Wong for The Reader [Blu-ray]
Rating:
Kate Winslet had a great year in 2008 with 2 fine films, “Revolutionary Road” which I’ve just seen in Blu-ray and this film which netted her a deserved Oscar though I think it would’ve been nice to see her split it with Angelina Jolie who also gave an excellent performance in “Changeling”. Though she has little dialogue in this film, she nevertheless conveys her character through gestures and nuances while David Kloss, as the young 15 yr old she seduces, carries the guilt and conscience of the new Germany. One can see why the novel was a hugh hit in its homeland. David Hare’s screenplay also deserves mention for the spare dialogue and the final confrontation scene between Ralph Fiennes as the grown up David and Lena Olin as a Holocaust survivor is one of many excellent acted scenes in this fine film. I saw this last Xmas in a theater and I intend to see it one more time on video. Special mention should made also of Bruno Ganz (Hitler in “Downfall”) as David’s teacher.
Review by Cpt Roland Jarvis for The Reader [Blu-ray]
Rating:
You can read the reviews about the plot, adult content and the courage in making such a movie, but allow me to bring forward the emotions and depth of an average viewer. As a thinking adult, you will be highly entertained, stimulated and challenged by this film. Bluntly, you will have one of the worthiest experiences of your life. Buy this movie, as it is a rare piece of quality entertainment.