Sorry I'm super late on this one.
But this is my recommendation for you to watch The Reader. Listen, I know there's not going to be any review by anyone in the world that'll make you run out to rent The Reader, and I am not trying to do that. All I'm saying is if you ever find yourself on Netflix deciding between Weekend At Bernie's and The Reader, pick The Reader.
Everyone and their freakin' mothers gave a balls-out performance in this movie. It was nominated for Best Movie, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. Kate Winslet won Best Actress, obviously, but she was totally the Forest Whitaker in Last King of Scotland. Meaning they both won and were great, but their performance was COMPLETELY shadowed by an (at the time) no-namer. The James McAvoy of The Reader was David Kross. I mean, who the hell does this guy think he is to come out of thin air and give an ass-kicking performance equivalent of one of my daily workouts at the gym? To have your first movie when you are only 18 be nominated for 5 of the top 8 Oscars of that year? The Reader is worth it alone to see a Mr. David Kross.
There are a few things I do have to warn you about this movie. The first act: SLOOOOOOOOW. I was pretty much on the verge of turning it off to watch Family Feud. You do see a lot of Winslet Boobs. Not sure if I just sold you or did the complete opposite. But you will be VERY glas once the second act starts, as the major twist kicks in nearly immediately. It's that first drop after a roller coaster, you know? Everything moves fast, your eyes are wide open, you're out of your seat and grasping for air and holding onto your seat as this ride takes you left and right, up and down. So bear the first act and I promise this will be one of the best movies you have seen the entire year.
