The Reader (15)

Moral ambiguity

THE READER
Cert. 15
Director: Stephen Daldry
Based on the novel by Bernhard Schlink

This is the film for which Kate Winslet won her Oscar. The Reader, set in post war Germany, tells the story of two people impacted by the Holocaust. Hannah Schmidt, a 30-something woman played by Kate Winslet, starts an affair with 16-year-old Michael Berg, played by David Kross (as an adult by Ralph Fiennes).

During their trysts, Michael reads a series of books to her. He falls in love with her and is devastated when she suddenly disappears. Several years later, as a university student studying law, Michael attends a trial of women accused of Holocaust crimes and is shocked to see Hannah on trial. He is sickened by the revelations about her during the trial, but realises for the first time something about her that could impact her sentencing. Does he contact her or not? Does he reveal her secret?

Although directed by a British director, with actors speaking English, the film exudes the sense of moral ambiguity that is a favourite theme of continental film directors. While never causing us to sympathise with the character of Hannah, it nevertheless shows us her ‘human’ side, and suggests another explanation for her actions through her secret that Michael discovers. Michael’s character serves as a symbol of the moral dilemma faced by many post-war Germans. The emotional struggle and moral compromises he experiences, because of his feelings of love and revulsion, torture him for the rest of his life, affecting all his relationships. Clearly thought-provoking and well acted, Christians will be repulsed by the somewhat graphic sex and nudity, as well as the agnostic and ambiguous treatment of sin, guilt and justice.

Steve Gandy,
Guildford

© Evangelicals Now - April 2009
Please consider supporting this ministry by subscribing.

• Request Free Sample

Main Articles

• NWA: turning the tide
• The Commentary
  Global problems, global solutions?
• Some evangelists
  Jonathan Carswell talks to Nick Howard
• Every child matters
  The challenge of and need for Christians to do schools work
• The sufficiency of God's sovereignty
  How God can use even those apparently opposed to his will for his purposes
• The Christians' advocate
  Interview with Andrea Minichiello Williams of CCFON
• The Bible and the banks
  Dr. Philip Sampson looks at the current financial disaster, part 1
• Monthly arts and media column
  Taking the love dare
• Letter from America
  The tipping point
• The Music Exchange
  A bit of a rethink!

Other articles

• The Reader (15)
• Jesus: dead or alive - An extract
• The Young Victoria (PG)
• 'L' is for Lifestyle - Christian living that doesn't cost the earth
• When will there be good news? - Shelf life: Looking at secular books
• The longest week - The truth about Jesus' last days
• The lady church planter - Selina, Countess of Huntingdon
• Biblical church - A challenge to unscriptural traditions and practice
• The preaching of Jonathan Edwards
• The art of the public grovel
• Faith lacking understanding - Theology 'through a glass darkly'
• When God goes to Starbucks - A guide to everyday apologetics
• Under God's smile - The Trinitarian blessing of 2 Corinthians 13.14
• The truth shall make you free - Westminster Conference 2007 papers
• Mirror, mirror - Discover your true identity in Christ
• Any complaints? Blame God! - God's message for today - Habakkuk the prophet speaks
• Make your church's money work - Achieving financial integrity in your congregation
• A year in China
• The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon
• The things he carried - A journey to the cross: meditations for Lent and Holy Week
• Lifesong - Bible-centred worship for the emerging congregation