The reader

* This is the reason why I like movies and I believe in them.
* These are the kind of performances which touch you. Both from Ms. Winslet and Mr. Fiennes. You will know why Ms. Winslet is such a brilliant, intense, wonderful and talented actress of this era.
* This is a movie which should have won the Best Picture. I am not a great fan of who wins. But this one deserved it more.
* Don’t miss the finer details of the scene when Hanna and Michael meet after 20 years. I cried like a baby in that one scene.
* The calm, haunted locales of Germany instill that after effect of an holocaust in you. My current job involves working on, translating and transcribing the interviews of holocaust survivors. Sometimes I get drifted into their reality and I know how disturbing it is.
* The life of Michael, whose torment is painful and whose love for Hanna is equally beautiful, is so humane. The strength and weakness of Hanna leave you bummed.
* The scene where Hanna teaches herself to read and write is so real. I myself have done that so many times while trying to learn German at my job. I do it as it keeps my mind off the content of the interviews. Self help !!
* Also watch The hours by Mr. Daldry. It had one explosive cast of Meryl Streep (Goddess), Julianne Moore (Talented) and Nicole Kidman (I don’t really like her). Also he has a keenness for the female conscious, me thinks. 
As an after thought, I had no detailed knowledge about holocaust, the camps (called lager), the extermination of jews, before I started working. I believe it’s a dastardly act any human being can do on his fellow being, to let him die or kill him or make him suffer, with knowledge and intention. The movie has been criticized for that. But I personally think that it was not glorified or presented artistically to subside the horrific effect of these events.
Anyways, watch the movie because it explores an unusual relationship. Because Kate Winslet is one hell of an actress. What do you have for breakfast girl ? We can give it to a bunch of other women and, of course men too, who call themselves actors. Compulsary !!
And you, Ralph Fiennes, how do your eyes convey so much pain and love at the same time ? What eye vitamins do you take ?
I think that’s excellence. They are just possessed by it!
~nightflier 🙂


4 responses to “The reader”

  1. nightflier Avatar

    hmm..you do have a point with accent..even I have noticed that.
    But benjamin was too slow. I have not seen doubt, its the next on my list.
    But seeing slumdog and reader are both adaptations, I thought reader was good (despite the fact that I have not read either :D). And I always consider my first reaction to any movie. I felt delighted after watching slumdog, whereas I was touched after the reader. After the holocausts, its a deep and traumatic dilemma a whole generation has grown up in, jews and non jews. And when art tries to portray it, I thought Reader was a good attempt, as it captured the exact emotions.
    And for Kate, she is an amazing actress and person. Every performance of hers is a gem. Just that she could crack the code this time, so I watched the movie a bit prejudiced and liked her acting even more 😀

    Thanks for the comment 🙂

  2. ketaki Avatar

    I watched the reader too, though I personally thought Kate was better in her other movies. I mean she could have tried puttin on some German accent, at least prominent places where Germans dont pronounce the 'the' sound.. she sounds completely Brit, same with Fiennes. I have only seen Fiennes as the dark Lord so I have to see his other movies.. Though the movie reader is good.. But when I watched the reader, doubt, benjamin button and Slumdog, I personally feel slumdog was the right choice for the award. Not only it is perfectly made (a place where all other movies score too) but it is entertaining unlike others.. I mean honestly, I would never watch any of the other movies again.. and yeah nice post.. rather than the movie I like your post better.. 🙂

  3. nightflier Avatar

    I have seen Schindler's list when I was very young (when I did not know what is fine in terms of performances!!). But watching it now would be a bit disturbing, as I personally like to stay away from nazi movies. May be some day …

    Thanks for the comment 🙂

  4. Neha Avatar

    nice post..really…I must say though nicole was the best of the three in the hours…totally moving performance.
    havent seen the Reader as yet, but im a huge huge huge fan of Fiennes' acting. Totally. You might want to check out Schindler's List. Another rocker movie and prob Fiennes' finest performance 🙂

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