2009 seems to be the year that WWII is one of the main topics in cinemas. Valkyrie, Defiance and now the novel Der Vorleser (The Reader) from writer Bernard Schlink has been adopted for the big screen. And The Reader directed by Stephen Daldry has become quite a compelling movie adaptation indeed. Cate Winslet deservedly manages to gain an Oscar with her superb performance.

Kate Winslet plays Hanna Schmidt a sturdy tram conductor wit a dark past which by accident meets the teenager Micheal (David Cross) before her home. This meeting slowly grows in a sensual affair where Micheal reads books before making passionate love. This summer affair comes to an abrupt end when Hanna leaves without a trace. Many years later Micheal has become a law student and attends a trial; infact the trial of Hanna. This because she was a SS camp guard in Auschwitz and has been prosecuted for mass murder of three-hundred people. The illiterate Hanna is sentenced for live in a prison while the young Micheal becomes mingled between horrification, pity and love of the much older Hanna. Years later Micheal (played by Ralph Fiennes) has the nerve to get in contact with Hanna again.  

The drama itself is so intriguing because it handles the various topics of being and becoming a war criminal and the effects of people involved. What thrives people to make certain decisions during situations? How do people see those actions when the war is over? What an effect can these things have on a young boy? All sides of the story, including the story of the victim and evildoer, are being handled in sublime manner. Take these facts together with an interesting story, memorable scenes (especially the ones at Auschwitz and in court) and memorable acting of the entire cast and you have a perfect movie adaptation from Der Vorlezer. The only minor on this fact is that, once again, a movie is situated in Germany but spoken in English with German accent.