Stephen Daldry and David Hare team up again, to direct and write another methodically moving film. These two, brought film goers the 2002 film “The Hours”. In the event you don’t recall that title, it was a very well done story about three generations of women, all of whom, in one way or another, have had to deal with suicide in their lives. Nicole Kidman won the best acting Oscar, for her long nosed depiction of the real Virginia Woolf. Both of these movies align with the analogous pace, and exact what I believe should have been drawn from screenwriter’s adaptation of the original material. The pairing of the two veterans, created an unmistakable familiarity in overall pace, carefully constructed shot selection, and desired solemn texture as was accomplished in “The Hours”.
The acting is great; the cast assignment was flawlessly placed in this motion picture.
As I viewed the movie in the cramped and ancient La Jolla Landmark Theater, I pondered the lava-moving pace that the film was setting for the audience. It then came to me, that it was as if we were all watching an old withered fence being restored. You may not beautify it with one coat that it was an exacting process of sanding and painting that was unfolding on the screen. No ability to rush this process, as it takes time to soak in and dry and then have that method repeated over and over again to get the job finished, as it should be. I was also made to believe this was a white fence, and on a straight line without color or creativity.
I feel the filmmakers derived exactly what they sought from this celluloid contribution. I generally object to telling plot content or story details as it makes me feel like a reporter not a reviewer of the type, style and effectiveness of the films quality and content. I will reveal that the films central story line is life long love story of a simple, yet loving, relationship that only the film can unmistakably reveal.
If you are among the many that watch cinema for escape and pure entertainment, this may be not be for your viewing. However, if you enjoy a slow developing novel where one chapter sets up the next discovery, this could be a valuable two-hour investment. A must inform you that the Professional film critics only gave a 60% approval rating of this movie.
Kate Winslet may win her coveted Oscar for this performance, as it certainly one that took some talent to play to the changing demands placed on this character. I was also admired the small but strong performance of Bruno Ganz, an excellent German actor for his portrayal of Professor Rohl.
The Reader contains nudity, moral conflicts and the cruel handling of the Jewish population during WWII. I will comment that the Holocaust issue is done in a more complicated manner than I have viewed in other films.
Three stars out of five ∗∗∗
