BLU-RAY
REVIEW: THE READER
04/26/09
The Reader, one of the
year's most acclaimed films of 2008, is a ground breaking
drama that puts the audience in a roller coaster of emotions
from admiring beauty, studying guilt and doubting morals.
Based on the novel of its same name, the film has put in
plain view what good use of cinematography can do and in
this case has been the connection between actors and
viewers. This connection we owe not only to film director
and mastermind, Stephen Daldry but to academy award winner
for best actress Kate Winslet.
If you have not read the book, the beginning of this film
might not inspire you to continue watching. Given that
fifteen year old Michael Berg (David Kross) gets sick with
Scarlett Fever and is assisted on the street by a woman
twice his age. As they get to know each other they fall in
love for one another but Hanna Schmitz' (Kate Winslet) only
condition is that Michael reads to her. Up to this point,
the film is just a beautiful and forbidden coming of age
romance, with lots of sexual scenes and a troubled Michael.
The film quickly shows the polemic and controversial plot
when after many years Michael sees Hanna agin as she is put
on trial for a devastating crime. Michael, a law school
intern holds a truth that could help Hanna's case but
decides to keep quiet. The plot continues to develop and
needs to be carefully examined as flashforwards show an old
Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes), who has become an unhappy,
lonely introvert whose love for Hanna goes beyond cell
walls.
How can someone with such an immoral past be an inspiring
role model for others? This is the question that an
illiterate Hanna whose limitless drive to learn how to read
and write has risen. At the end, it is this determination
and will what saves this unpopular heroine, who might have
used the quote "The sky is the limit". A strong film with a
solid message worth watching and adding to your collection.
The Reader Blu-ray is presented in
widescreen format (1.85:1 aspect ratio) with English 5.1
TrueHD Dolby Digital Sound and English and French 5.1.
It also includes English and Spanish subtitles. The
picture looks flawless in HD, this is probably the
best blu-ray released by The Weinstein Company. Bonus
features including all-new cast and director interviews,
deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
VIDEO:
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1 aspect ratio) 1080P
AUDIO:
English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio and French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Deleted Scenes:
A total of 11 deleted scenes that run for 41 minutes, a long
running time for deleted scenes. Even thought this deleted
scenes are long, I found myself watching them. (41:12)
Adapting A Timeless Masterpiece: Making The Reader
This is your standard Making of featurette, which takes
viewers behind the scenes into the making of the film. It
includes cast commentaries as well as directors
commentaries. (55:42)
A
Conversation with David Kross & Stephen Daldry:
This is good conversation with Actor David Kross and
Director Stephen Daldry, still it feels like a promotional
featurette. (10:05)
Kate
Winslet On The Art Of Aging Hanna Schmitz: Another
interesting featurette, in which Kate Winslet talk about the
making of her aging scenes in this film (12:48)
A
New Voice: A Look At Composer Nico Muhly (4:05)
Coming To Grips With The Past: Production Designer Brigitte Broch
(6:58)
Theatrical Trailer
RATING BREAK DOWN:
| FILM REVIEW |
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VIDEO |
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AUDIO |
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| BONUS
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