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I have admired Kate Winslet for her talent and beauty since the days of ‘ Titanic ‘.Therefore was happy on her winning the Oscar in the best actress category for her role in the film ‘ The Reader ‘.
After seeing the movie I was convinced of the Academy’s decision; late though but befitting as this was her sixth nomination.
The film is set in Germany and moves to and fro between 60s and 90s.It depicts an unusual relationship between a young man ( kid of 15) and a woman bus conductor in her early 40s. How this relationship flowers into a lifelong yet distant association . It is also a strange story of guilt and redemption. The woman suffers from stigma and guilt of public crime and redeems herself by committing suicide just short of her release from prison. The man is guilty of keeping secret his affair with a Nazi, though she helps him to discover himself and make a presence in life. He redeems himself by admitting to his relationship to his daughter and also to one of the survivors of Nazi executions.
The role of Hanna is played by Kate Winslet. Hanna is part of the infamous SS guards under Nazi regime during the second world war who are instrumental in the mass execution of Jews. During her trial along with the other accused she is the only one who truthfully admits to her actions without guilt or guile to hide the facts. Her admission of accusations is also aggravated when she admits to her writing the report on keeping the door latch of the church closed during enemy bombing thus allowing the trapped Jews to die in fire. Ironically she does not know to write but accepts the report to be hers to hide her shame. The revelation could have saved her from life sentence!
The film deals successfully with the complex human personality and one’s public persona and private self. Hanna is shown as serious but caring person who tends to young Michael when she finds him unwell near her house and the meeting moves from physical to literary when she insists on being read from literary classics. At that juncture it never occurs to an audience that she has such a villainous past. Yet; though she participates in war crime with a sense of duty she is instrumental in flowering the personality of a reluctant and shy Michael as he discovers his reading skills whilst in her company and; in a way, liberates him. The two are together only for a solitary summer but it leaves an indelible mark on Michael. He is present in court as law student during Hanna’s trial and is even tempted to advise her to speak the truth regarding her inability to write ; also discusses the matter with his law teacher who advises him to inform the court. But he withdraws ; probably on realization of the impact it would have on his personal life of having defended a criminal that too not an ordinary one.
The latter part of the film dwells on the guilt which prevents him ; now a lawyer of repute to establish link with Hanna who is under life sentence in jail. In order to provide her some comfort and solace he reads out for her again ; but this time in isolation of his old home which he tapes and sends to her, all that which he had read to her earlier. Thus begins Hanna’s journey of learning to write. She succeeds in sending small letters to him but he only replies by sending tapes.
The film ends in the tragic suicide of Hanna who expresses no remorse for the dead when asked by Michael.Also she learns that she will have to stay alone though Michael may provide for her. She attempts to express her guilt when in her will she desires that her earnings in jail be handed over to one of the victims daughter. Michael redeems himself by fulfilling her will and admitting to the victims daughter his relationship with Hanna. He also takes his daughter to Hanna’s grave and narrates his and her story.
After seeing many films which probe the mind of the Nazis, here there is a film which attempts to probe their heart.
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