The Reader is a 2008 drama film directed by Stephen Daldry and based on the novel of the same name by Bernhard Schlink. The movie tells the story of Michael Berg, a German lawyer who, in the late 1950s, had an affair with an older woman named Hanna Schmitz (played by Kate Winslet).
Their relationship is intense and passionate but eventually comes to an abrupt end when Hanna disappears without a word. Years later, Michael (now played by Ralph Fiennes) is a successful lawyer and is attending a war crimes trial where he comes face to face with Hanna again. She is one of the defendants, accused of playing a key role in the deaths of several Jewish women during her time as a guard at a concentration camp.
Michael is shocked to learn that Hanna is illiterate and is afraid to reveal this fact as it may harm her defense. He becomes torn between his loyalty to her and his moral obligation to tell the truth. As the trial progresses, Michael begins to understand the atrocities committed during the war and is forced to confront his own role in the past.
The movie explores themes of guilt, responsibility, and the complexities of human relationships. It received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including five Academy Awards, with Winslet winning the Best Actress award for her portrayal of Hanna.