Here’s what I knew about “The Reader” before I saw it Sunday:
- It has been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.
- It stars Kate Winslet.
- It has some connection to the Holocaust.
All of those things are true.
The movie itself is somber, which is expected for a movie that has some connection to the Holocaust. But that is not the only theme. The script also deals with how normal people can be involved in the most heinous crimes, and how best for us to pass along the stories and lessons of the past, and the murky ethics of seducing teenagers, and whether one has a moral imperative to save someone who appears unwilling to be saved.
“The Reader” may join the list of movies that I enjoyed once, but never really wish to see again. It’s given me much to think about.