The Reader // Correspondences

*WARNING* : This video contains S-P-O-I-L-E-R-S !!!

Song: Sweet Escape - Paul Cardall

"Only one thing can make a soul complete & that one thing is love."

There's an urgency in human nature to understand. When it comes to the Holocaust, history's bleak, unsettling period, it doesn't matter what book you've read, film you've seen or account you've heard; in the end, your response is halted by its incomprehensible conclusion. How could humanity course its way towards such a violent, destructive path ? How could people knowingly send men, women, and children to their impending doom ? Most puzzling, how could the world allow it ? Even though its been 66 years since the blood-drenched annals of World War II, its aftermath today is still bone chilling.

After a six year celluloid dry spell, Stephen Daldry returns to the director's chair in a brilliant, sexually charged, and oddly heartbreaking tale about the complexity of human morality and the lifelong repercussions that result from our actions. Adapted from Bernhard Schlink's best-selling German novel, "The Reader," Daldry's visual translation is a powerful, emotionally absorbing film that is one of the 2008's best. It's superbly crafted.

With World War II over, Germany, in 1958, is still recovering. Deep within Heidelberg, Germany, Michael (David Kross), a young pubescent teenager haven fallen ill, is comforted by Hanna (Kate Winslet), a hard working woman who is twice his age. Taken by her generosity, Michael revisits Hanna to offer his gratitude. What begins as an awkward reunion escalates into a seductive, forbidden affair that intensifies when Michael begins reading to the distant, empty Hanna, who is deeply awakened by Michael's spoken literature. Too young to understand love's complicated implications, Michael is emotionally devastated when Hanna suddenly disappears. Seven years later, unable to forget his passionate summer while studying law, he attends a Nazi trial, and to his dismay, hears Hanna's distant voice.

"The Reader" is a complex film; maybe too complex for some. Though the film pertains to Nazism and the "sins of our fathers," in essence, "The Reader" is a film that reflects the emotions inside all of us. During a lecture, Michael's professor comments, "Societies like to think they operate on morality but they don't." In this cynical age, how far from reality is that statement ? During Hanna's trial, she's questioned why she participated in the Nazi party's horrendous war crimes, broken she replies, "It was my job." Oddly enough, that seems to be the justification most people use. Surprisingly, though, "The Reader" isn't about her exposure as a war criminal, but an exposure on an individual who took the wrong path. She's not a bad person; she's simply made wrong choices. However, when it comes to having involvement in the Nazi's liquidation of the Jews, how "wrong" can you get ? "You keep telling us to think like lawyers," cries on student, "what are we trying to do ?" A distraught Michael replies, "We are trying to understand!" But, just who exactly is trying to grasp a deeper understanding: the court or Michael? How can Hanna's past be forgiven ? Director Stephen Daldry brings the much needed emotional layer that a character such as Hanna Schmitz desperately needs. Although her actions are beyond unforgivable, strangely, we sympathize with her. Maybe it's her other shameful secret. Maybe it's superb character development.

"The Reader" is a film that is driven by it's raw performances. In one of her finest hours, Kate Winslet gives the performance of a lifetime. It's a haunting and a heart-breaking. David Kross, who's only 18, is impressive as the teenager with raging hormones; it's such a daring performance. Winselt and Kross bring this picture together. Their performances are jaw-droppingly brilliant. Completing the role of Michael, as the tortured grown man, is Ralph Fiennes, who balances Michael's despair through his melancholic emotions when he looks back on his life trying to find a way to open himself up through his time of self reflection and sudden realizations towards his existence.

When "The Reader's" credits rolled, I sat quietly shaken by what I had witnessed. It's a film that is impossible to forget. When a grown Michael asks Hanna, "Have you spent much time thinking about the past ?" Heartbroken, she replies, "It doesn't matter what I think. It doesn't matter what I feel. The dead are still dead." She's right.

I dedicate this video to my friends, subscribers, youtubers & in particular to MorganadiAvalon28. Thank you so much for giving such support and such sweetness.This editing is a gift in gratitude of everything.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MorganadiAvalon28

Program Used: Sony Vegas Pro 9
Editing Time: 5 days
Render Time: 01:53:54 hour (wmv)

Note: I do not own any of the media used in this clip. For entertainment purposes only. Copyright infringement not intended.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Stephen
• Daldry
• Ralph
• Fiennes
• David
• Kross
• Kate
• Winslet

[differentandalike]

i saw the reader - sad ending. i guess he could not help her at the end. you have an unique style - really good movies and good music. i been a you tuber for 3 months and you are one of my favorites. you always have kind and positive worlds to say. it shows you are one of the good souls in this world. we both are sending good energy on you tube. i enjoy your creativity.

[Sedik66861]

@differentandalike The end is heartbreaking ! Your compliments goes straight to my heart ! You can't imagine the extent of my emotions by feeling you utterly remarkable kindness ! I remain at your entire disposal to give you my huge support, my entire devotion and my greatest gratitude. What great fortune to have crossed your path. which allows to measure the morale of a man is his happiness. More the man is good, more he is happy. Happiness is synonymous with welfare. A heartfelt thanks !!!

[SuperMelita9]

Very nicely done you have captured all the deep feelings in this movie and the music accents that even more. Movies and art sometimes show us the important things in life are not the material. Material things fade away what always remains is the strong deep ties from the relationships we have.

[MsDboyy]

! ! !

[TAPICTURES]

Liebe ! ! ! !

[prostasia7]

I saw the movie ... excellent choice ..!

thank you for all your downloads ..!!!

**********

[MrPromyczek222]

Piękny i wzruszający film

[musicyarte]

Great video, excellent scenes, and interesting history.

Beautiful music.

Thanks for uploading, I loved it.

[VIOLA703]

Video fantastico! Musica straordinaria!

Buona serata!

[infowideo]

Thanks? for the invite

Nice !

[yatrika612]

So sad and beautiful. Thank you for the upload.

[DAlNERA]

excellent!