Ryan McNeil
Note: Review is condensed down from usual length – RM
THE READER is a great movie trapped inside a good movie. It’s an adaptation of a beloved book, that loses focus in translation. Pacing is off, it goes right when it should go left, and it has all the sensuality of a bowl of potato salad. However, every once in a while, it dives below the surface and turns into a story of genuine intrigue and pain. Unfortunately, these moments are unsustainable, and after pushing as hard as it can, the plot retreats back to a safe place.
While Kate Winslet is admirable as Hanna Schmitz in this film, it isn’t her finest work. Early in the film, she seems cold, though likewise trying for a harshness she can’t achieve. I had no clue why Michael was so enticed by her, aside from the fact that he was a teenager and hadn’t caught a glimpse of an adult woman’s thigh before.It would take more than that for me, but I digress. Winslet evens out late in the film, when Hanna returns – a weary, defeated, broken shell of her former self. For me, one side of the performance cancels out the other, leaving no lasting impression.
While the love story disappoints, the darker human angle is quite successful. It takes a long hard look at blame, responsibility, humanity, and forgiveness. Many of these moments are perfectly crafted, managing to both warm and break your heart exactly when each should happen. Unfortunately, these moments are scattered, and self-contained…so the movie never manages to build any sort of momentum.
THE READER had potential, but while it’s worth seeing, it isn’t the sort of film I’d advise rushing out to see. It’s a shame, since I really believe that a more delicate touch could have achieved far more with this story.
That said, it did achieve one thing…I now find myself curious to read the book. That’s gotta be worth something, right?
I really like the idea of shortened posts considering most of us probably already know the premise of the movie, unless it’s really obscure. ALSO, I have a question… How do you get your blog to do that “read more” thing, so that the whole post isn’t on the home page? I think it’s great for making the home page look cleaner, and I was wondering how to do it.
Eventually I’ll go back to doing the longer ones, given that I enjoy describing the details in my own smart-assed way.
Like I say though, it’ll take a week or two to get caught up, so it’s good to know that in the meantime posts like this cut the muster.
As for the “Read More” bit…you have no idea what you’re getting into.
For me, it took the better part of an afternoon pulling my hair out whilst staring at code to get it up and going. Two months back, I gave the instructions to another blogger who’s even better at html than I am, and it even drove her to fits.
Here’s a link to get you started. Give it a look, pour yourself a drink, and see if you can get it working.
http://hackosphere.blogspot.com/2006/11/selective-expandable-posts.html
Love the potato salad line.
I think you felt similar to me on this one, though I can’t say that reading the book is of any interest to me.