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Written February 3, 2009
The Reader.

by Daydream

The Reader is a lonely and unforgiving story of a boy who falls in love with a woman more than twice his age and never stops loving her even after she leaves unexpectedly. They have a heated summer long affair where they make love and he reads to her. Their pride is too strong to help themselves; he is afraid to be with her and she is afraid to admit her ability to read and write. The story starts out slow with flashbacks to how they met and how they crossed paths after being apart for years and picks up over halfway through. This isnt an uplifting movie, but it is wonderful. I didnt know what to think when the movie ended so I sat there trying to make sense of what I just saw. The Reader touches you at the core. Kate Winslet is iconic, a performance equal if not greater than her's in Revolutionary Road. She has really opened my eyes.
- 78 out of 108 found this review helpful.
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Written February 1, 2009
Very good!

by Lgoaliefan

This was an excellent movie. Everyone in it was wonderful. I would recommend seeing this movie.
- 46 out of 67 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 17, 2008
The Reader

by Chariotier

Excellent movie all around. My attention never lagged. The less you know about it the more you will enjoy it. So don't read any detailed reviews. You know how the critics can ruin it for you!!!
- 26 out of 32 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 10, 2009
I'M MAD! Why didn't anyone tell me what a GREAT MOVIE THIS IS!!!

by AngieCim

WHAT HAPPENED? Did these people run out of advertising money? Did all the theaters get snow blinded with Buttons and Slumdog?

I saw this movie twice already and I am taking my daughter and her boyfriend tonight - If you have not seen this movie, get going ~ ~ that is, if you miss seeing GREAT ACTING, GREAT DIRECTION, GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY . . . . ok, I'll stop for now.

Buttons and Slumdog were certainly good movies, but if you miss seeing the kind of movie where everyone is stopped dead in their tracks, no going for popcorn, no going to the bathroom - not even coughing so that they do not miss a single scene . . . and you miss leaving a movie and feeling like you just had great sex or a great meal, then this movie is for you!

Sorry, but this is something of greatness that no one should miss! A MUST GO - And, I am hoping it sends a new trend for movies for 2008!
- 15 out of 21 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written February 13, 2009
Dark Tender Heartbreaking

by Boportmouth

Good lord does this movie ask you to think. Not since Hard Candy has my mind whirled from such a film. Go see it. This movie will make you ask questions and consider that which is best left NEVER forgotten. The relationship between Hana and Michael is so tender and sweet. It makes you forget the age difference. It only makes it harder when you see they hurt each other.
- 11 out of 14 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written February 9, 2009
The Reader

by lucidanne6

Fantastic! Lots of nudity and super intense sex scenes, some completely unecessary. FANTASTIC movie though! Only see with your friends, not your parents. And definetely not a movie for those younger than 18.
- 9 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written February 8, 2009
The Reader

by BeenieP

Absolutely riveting! Kate Winslet definitely deserves the oscar.
- 9 out of 11 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written February 19, 2009
The Reader

by GArroyoR

It was excellent. I did not expect such a serious topic to be included in a "love story." Kate Winslett's (spelling?) acting was superb. She portrayed a mysterious woman whose behavior we did not understand until the end of the movie. It was only until after the movie that the puzzle came together and her personality was uncovered. The movie was captivating, holding my interest and keeping me guessing until the end. I would vote for Kate for the Oscar!
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written December 15, 2008
The BEST MOVIE all YEAR!!

by Cryztal101

Im not a romance lover, im an action and horror fan, but this movies is by far the best movie I have seen all 2008 and i think possibly 2007 aswell. I am constantly at the movies so I know a good movie when i see one. This movie will touch your heart like no other. I would say this is a movie for everyone, I cant wait till it comes out on DVD, i will go buy it the same day. They dont play The Reader at just any theater but its definately worth the drive and the admission. ITS A MUST SEE!!!
- 9 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written February 2, 2009
Worth Reading

by amamoviecritic

Which is greater: shame-based behavior on a grand, murderous scale, or shame-based behavior on a singular, personal scale? Which is more needed: justice or forgiveness? What is more tragic: sex void of love or love void of reconciliation? This is a complex and compelling movie based in a holocaust background that cannot be removed from the contamination of that whole event on the lives of people; a sort of fallout sprinkling itself into the very cores of so many generations. Kate Winslet (as Hanna) and Ralph Fiennes as (Michael), and to be sure, David Kross (as the teenage Michael), play out their respective roles with determined sensitivity that brings their characters into our living room awareness and personalizes the tragedy unfolding before us with paralyzing angst. There are so many avenues of discussion evolving out of this story, all pointing to great issues even now before us all in this human drama called life. Kate should be recognized with an Oscar.
- 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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Written February 9, 2009
The Reader- Excellent movie

by sbzarett

A terrific movie worthy of Oscar nomination. Still don't understand why directors think it is necessary to have as much nudity as is present in this film. Haven't they ever seen the classics of the 50's? Loses the impact on society it could have had for a wider audience.
- 8 out of 11 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written January 27, 2009
Unique Relationships

by tcripps

The Reader was faithful to the book according to my wife. Both men protraying the lead male character were excellent, revealing personal weakness and flaws in a believeable way. Kate Winslet was terrific as the female lead. And her character was unusual in that she was a Nazi who guarded Jewish prisoners and took them knowingly to their deaths but, as an illiterate person of simple values, did not perceive she had a choice. Her affair with the young male lead was unorthodox but also believeable. The lack of courage on her part, and on the young and old male lead's parts, led to tragic outcomes.

Transitions between scenes were flawless. The Director was very skillful. See it!
- 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written February 8, 2009
The Reader

by amackey31

Excellent 2009 academy award contender. Kate Winslet's performance is flawless as a confused, illiterate german woman trying to fight for what she understood to be the right thing as well a what was to be her "job." Her relationship with a young boy is part of her struggle to gain knowledge and companionship. Watching a boy turn into a man before his time and the struggles he must try and deal with to get through his life and career were well trought out and well acted. This young actor did a superb job, as did Roy Fiennes as the "older Michael". I recommend The Reader to all viewers how enjoy a powerful movie, as well as Kate Winslet fans.
- 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written February 11, 2009
The Reader

by 666999

Excellent movie - not the typical WWII stuff overly focused on trials and slaughter. This is a great story of passion with an unexpected story line. Hollywood should drop the formula crap seen in most movies and go back to looking for a good story.
- 8 out of 11 found this review helpful.
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Written December 26, 2008
The Reader

by barbnarnie

We hadn't indended to se The Reader but the movie we planned to see was not showing.
Frortunately for us we got to see The Reader instead. Had we known the story involved the holocaust we would have passed. As it turned out we were all, the two couples, engrossed by the fiilm, In fact, we later remarked how attentive and quiet the whole audience was. After the movie we discussed the storyline and acting performances over dinner. We agreed all the actors were excellent and we had a lot of uresolved questions about the characters they portrayed. This morning I reccommended the fim to several friends and asked them to meet with us at at at a future time to discuss this unusual film.
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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