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The Reader Reviews

2008

80
from 64,609 members

In postwar Germany, a young man’s decades-long obsession with an older woman runs headlong into a war crimes trial, where he learns an awful truth. Read more

Starring	Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Bruno Ganz, Karoline Herfurth
Director	Stephen Daldry
Genres	Drama, Romance

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Critic's review of The Reader
View all critics' reviews (2)
- In postwar Germany, a young man's decades-long obsession with an older woman runs headlong into a war crimes trial, where he learns an awful truth. read more »
- LOVEFiLM Review
  - Tom Charity
  - LOVEFiLM
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Most helpful member's review of The Reader
View all members' reviews (639)
- - 277
  - 8
  brilliantly acted, thought provoking
  
  An excellent film which is quintessentially a powerful love story set in post-war Germany between a woman and a young (very young!) man. Their affair ends ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 684180
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Julia Davison
  - Westcliff, Essex
  - 09 Jan 2009 at 11:21
Most recent members' reviews of The Reader
View all members' reviews (639)
- - 0
  - 0
  a slow burner
  
  This quiet and moving this film is a little slow going but definately worth the effort. I loved the space in the movie and the score works really well with the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1092105
- - PlaitsnPink
  - 2 reviews
  - 13 Feb 2012 at 20:55
- - 0
  - 0
  Much better than I expected, very good...
  
  This turned out to be much better than I expected, in-fact very good.
  
  It is a little slow, but it is engaging, thought provoking and a well told / ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1089757
- - SiSlayRD500
  - 34 reviews
  - Solihull
  - 07 Feb 2012 at 13:35
- - 1
  - 0
  haunting film
  
  A well acted, topical film, that will leave you with a feeling of respect for the topic which was well handled, but haunted was how i felt.
  
  Report this review
- 1087753
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - chocolateparsnips
  - 20 reviews
  - Plymouth
  - 01 Feb 2012 at 16:34
- - 1
  - 0
  hit or miss
  
  Not what we expected but one of those films you have to watch even though you find yourself wondering why you are watching it.
  
  Report this review
- 1087313
- - a customer
  - 31 Jan 2012 at 13:00
- - 1
  - 0
  Strong Stuff
  
  What a storyline. What a choice the characters both had to make. I was shouting at the screen to say something
  
  Report this review
- 1086700
- - addicksfan
  - 9 reviews
  - London
  - 29 Jan 2012 at 17:40
- - 0
  - 0
  An unexpected emotional journey
  
  Kate Winslet is always a class act. Add Ralph Feinnes to the mix and the sauce just gets richer. A superb film that takes you through an unexpected emotional ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1086438
- - Vdubbman
  - 55 reviews
  - 28 Jan 2012 at 21:03
- - 0
  - 0
  Great Movie.
  
  I had mixed feelings before watching this movie, but i'm pleased I made the effort to. Great film, great acting, brilliant story.
  
  Kate Winslet at... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1085815
- - SamsWayOrNoWay
  - 8 reviews
  - Ware
  - 26 Jan 2012 at 21:56
- - 2
  - 4
  Well worth seeing
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  An unworldly, sick young man is 'rescued' by an older single woman with apparently good intentions. But she succumbs to her needs and gently introduces ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1077448
- - DavidMcL
  - 1 review
  - 01 Jan 2012 at 14:54
- - 0
  - 12
  Can't tell
  
  Couldn't actually watch the film properly, as the DVD was faulty. Have requested it again, so may get a better review next time.
  
  Report this review
- 1075603
- - a customer
  - 23 Dec 2011 at 12:27
- - 1
  - 2
  A Deep, Thought Provoking Film
  
  A deep, thought provoking film, with a really good story.
  
  Well acted throughout by all the major characters.
  
  A Highly recommended film.
  
  Report this review
- 1074168
- - a customer
  - 17 Dec 2011 at 17:28
View all members' reviews (639)

- - 277
  - 8
  brilliantly acted, thought provoking
  
  An excellent film which is quintessentially a powerful love story set in post-war Germany between a woman and a young (very young!) man. Their affair ends ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 684180
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Julia Davison
  - Westcliff, Essex
  - 09 Jan 2009 at 11:21
- - 47
  - 5
  The Reader
  
  David Hare and Stephen Daldry, the team responsible for the masterpiece 'The Hours' now go even darker with this period drama set in post-WWII Germany. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 687266
- - a customer
  - Billericay
  - 13 Jan 2009 at 20:14
- - 31
  - 0
  This is a real cut above the average
  
  I do not give 4* reviews too often. This one , whilst lacking a something special that I can't quite put my finger on, does IMHO rate 4*s. I have always ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1035965
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - roncoach
  - 251 reviews
  - suffolk
  - 01 Sep 2011 at 21:42
- - 37
  - 23
  well-polished expensive nothing
  
  Imagine that you are house-hunting. The estate agent hands you particulars of this new property that has everything on your list - spotless decor, quiet ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 688785
- - a customer
  - Penrith
  - 16 Jan 2009 at 09:40
- - 28
  - 15
  Unmitigated tosh
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  While undoubtedly well crafted and technically accomplished, this film seeks to evoke sympathy for a character who remains seemingly more ashamed by illiteracy ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 717904
- - PedroK
  - 1 review
  - Leighton Buzzard
  - 01 Mar 2009 at 04:49
- - 21
  - 2
  Powerful, moving, thought provoking
  
  Most of us have key relationships in our lives that affect us for years after they end, and herein lies the love story between an older woman and a teenage boy... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 685866
- - a customer
  - Buckfastleigh
  - 11 Jan 2009 at 22:17
- - 14
  - 2
  Excellent & Gripping
  
  This film is very difficult to leave feeling either good or bad however you do become gripped in the tale. The subject matter is hard hitting and at times ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 698405
- - a customer
  - Norwich
  - 30 Jan 2009 at 15:14
- - 14
  - 3
  Difficult film
  
  I imagine that this film will annoy some people for trivialising the holocaust since at the heart of the movie is a love affair between a teenager and an older ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 682835
- - Zamy
  - 546 reviews
  - London
  - 07 Jan 2009 at 11:20
- - 14
  - 9
  Did anyone read the script?
  
  Crass, preposterous and poorly directed and these are some of the more generous thoughts on this piffle.
  
  Dear Kate must have got her oscar for best ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 738876
- - Bribaba
  - 146 reviews
  - London
  - 06 Apr 2009 at 17:02
- - 11
  - 3
  The Reader
  
  Its pretty obvious that awards season is on us when we are suddenly hit with a plethora of movies that either go for the heart strings, the artistic, the period... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 703226
- - gepete80
  - 80 reviews
  - London
  - 06 Feb 2009 at 15:44

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- The Reader - Blu-ray
  
  In postwar Germany, a young man’s decades-long obsession with an older woman runs headlong into a war crimes trial, where he learns an awful truth....

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- The Reader
  
  In postwar Germany, a young man’s decades-long obsession with an older woman runs headlong into a war crimes trial, where he learns an awful truth....