I decided to start something like a movie diary. It will consist of reflections and random thoughts on movies I have recently seen and which are worth to be mentioned. Also, I suggest reading those notes only if you have seen the screen motion, otherwise you might lose all the fun of watching the movie.
The first position I chose to discuss is The Reader. Below is a one-sentence summary of what the movie is about:
Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.
The plot is more complex as it contains a lot of subplots, but if you want to know what the movie mainly concerns, the description from IMDB fits the best.
Love
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| “You can read it”, “I’d rather listen to you.” |
I think it’s a strange relationship of main characters that takes the main part in the whole movie. I wouldn’t call it love, because to me it’s simply sick. How else can you call behaviors between a 15-year-old boy and a 36-year-old woman which are driven by sexual motives? They both influence on each other in some invisible way, mental way, what has later a tragic outcome when they grow older.
The trial
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| “Hanna Schmitz, you’re in a different category.” |
Hanna looked dumb in my eyes when the first part of a trial started. What she said was so irresponsible and immature. My feelings turned round when she took the whole blame on herself. I was like why can’t she say she can’t read?. It was about pride and self-confidence. Not everyone would do such a thing, especially in the modern world. After she was sentenced for life, it really made me think.
Hanna’s illiteracy
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| The book that helps Hanna learn to read and write is named The lady with the little dog. |
We are faced with a personal drama which the main character deals with. An inability to write and read was a shame to publicly admit. Hanna, as a model worker, hid her weakness quite good and until her death it was unrevealed to the light. She got a power to do something about herself when she was already in prison, when she understood how much it means and how big part of life it takes. With a help of Michael she became literate.
The reunion
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| “You’ve grown up, kid.” |
It’s hard for both of them. He seems to both want to visit her and to erase her from mind. Since she has been getting tapes, her only wish is to get in touch with Michael back again. However, the re-encounter has a great impact on their minds. It’s so strong that Hanna decides to end her life – at the time she’s got a chance to finally leave the prison and see the world. Michael cries his heart out for the second time in his life.
The open-up
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| “Hanna Schmitz. Who was she?”, “That’s what I wanted to tell you.” |
The story of a forbidden relationship remains unrevealed for nearly half of the century. Death of Hanna induces Michael to share his life with the closest person – a daughter. This kind of confession is a great and at the same time traditional ending for a theater performance – a form of catharsis.
The movie is definitely worth seeing. It’s no masterpiece, but is counted as one of picture motions that make you think.
