61 Responses for "Ebert Takes a Moment to Defend The Reader"

1. Zinc February 5th, 2009 at 7:50 pm 1

   Well, he can’t speak up now, so I don’t see how his point is relevant.

2. Rahulio February 5th, 2009 at 8:53 pm 2

   That’s such a fucking tacky ass remark, Zinc.

   I completely agree about The Reader. People who brush it off and call it another holocaust movie GENUINELY did not get it. And that’s one of the only times I will ever use that as defense of a movie.

3. JK February 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm 3

   I agree with Ebert, I saw The Reader a couple of days ago and is not an Holocaust movie, not at all, and also I think is a really good movie, not a top five nominee but not bad at all, the biggest problem that I have is how come anyone thought that Kate was supporting…???, thank God Penelope will be receiving her oscar oon Feb 22

   p.s. Zinc, shame on you…

4. Dorothy Porker February 5th, 2009 at 9:18 pm 4

   Zinc, get some class. Pathetic.

   Hear, hear to Ebert.

5. EE February 5th, 2009 at 9:19 pm 5

   It’s hard for me to take anything Ebert says seriously after his incredibly unprofessional review of Rendition that was 20% about the movie and 80% a tirade against the Bush administration stance against torture.

6. rachel getting oscared February 5th, 2009 at 9:25 pm 6

   “I completely agree about The Reader. People who brush it off and call it another holocaust movie GENUINELY did not get it. And that’s one of the only times I will ever use that as defense of a movie.”

   -ahh, so refreshing! I couldn’t agree more.

7. Gentle Benj February 5th, 2009 at 9:58 pm 7

   I’ve come to view The Reader and Rachel Getting Married as sister films, in that they deal with the limits of remorse and amends. The Reader is more direct in its approach to this question, and I’ve got to admire the chutzpah of any film that dares to flirt with the notion that reparation is a pipe dream.

   To paraphrase the film: If you want catharsis, watch another Holocaust movie. But that’s not what The Reader is.

8. jwright40 February 5th, 2009 at 10:00 pm 8

   I can’t escape my own conviction that it’s a Holocaust film. The lovingly lit footage of Auschwitz does not make it so (though it helps – indelible images of gas showers, check). But the audience IS meant to sit there aghast while the tribunal judge and Hanna together render camp life and the deaths of those 300 women. At the very least least, you can’t tell me that it’s not a Holocaust film. If I’m reminded of the speciousness & self-seriousness of other mediocre Holocaust films, then, to me, it’s a Holocaust film. That’s my criteria by which I judge it. There certainly isn’t much to distinguish it. I think it’s fair – perhaps not precise, but let’s face it: the film is not worth arguing over.

9. Proman February 5th, 2009 at 10:14 pm 9

   I think Tony Scott needs to shut up. I am getting too tired of seeing too many shitty Tony Scott films.

   And does anyone actually thinks he actually “seen” those films in the first place.

   There is no such thing as a Holocaust movie and if it was then damn the better. I’d rather have compelling drama centered with connection to real events than… another shitty Tony Scott film.

10. Dick Pastey February 5th, 2009 at 10:26 pm 10

    I dont get what Zinc even meant? How was that “tacky” and “pathetic”?

11. Dorothy Porker February 5th, 2009 at 10:43 pm 11

    Dick Pastey: “Film critic Roger Ebert, a thyroid and salivary gland cancer survivor, lost his ability to speak as a rare side effect of his thyroid cancer.”

    That’s what makes what Zinc said tacky and pathetic.

12. Andre February 5th, 2009 at 11:05 pm 12

    I think it’s more about the aftermath of the Holocaust than the event itself, but I think the Holocaust is more of a setting than the actual subject matter of the film.

    It’s actually my favorite film of 2008 so far (there’s a couple of things I’ve yet to see, though).

13. Jeff February 5th, 2009 at 11:09 pm 13

    Proman-

    The “Tony Scott” Ebert is referencing is A.O. Scott of the NYT–not Tony Scott, the film director.

14. Biggles February 5th, 2009 at 11:16 pm 14

    I also agree with Ebert here. And I don’t always. But one thing is for sure, his reviews are always extremely unique and interesting to read, regardless of whether I agree with them.

    Check out his review of Synecdoche, NY. It’s basically his theory of existence. And he acknowledges that it’s an unconventional review, and defends it. It’s fascinating stuff.

    Now if some theater within 500 miles of me would actually SCREEN that damn movie…..

15. Afrika February 5th, 2009 at 11:41 pm 15

    jk

    confidence much? keep re-assuring yourself that Pe-no-talent Cruz will take the oscar come Feb. 22. Don’t be surprised when Henson or one of the fine doubt actresses snatches the prize from nowhere. Ms. Cruz should watch more telenovelas to see real emotion because what she did in VCB was tepid. Think Sahara in Spain, without Mathew Mcconohay(sp) and directed by Wooden Allen ( with a lackluster cameo by Scarlet J.)

16. Zach February 6th, 2009 at 12:08 am 16

    Afrika, get with the program, the Best Supporting Actress race isn’t just about talent. Of course, at least half of the film’s audiences disagree with you.

    Proman – couldn’t have said it better myself, even if it’s not relevant!

17. Jesper February 6th, 2009 at 12:20 am 17

    I think it’s good that it’s always is making movies about the Holocaust so it can remind us what happened back then.

18. Robert Hamer February 6th, 2009 at 12:55 am 18

    I guess it’s my own fault that I disliked The Reader since I read the book beforehand and was disappointed at how much was lost in translation from the page to film. So much of the movie – to me, at least – played up the eroticism and the melodrama over the theme of the story, which was the struggle of future generations to comprehend the Holocaust, particularly German youth. Yes, I realize that that’s an unfair judgement, but I guess I would say that The Reader wasn’t inferior because of what it was, but what it could have been.

    I don’t know, does anyone else see where I’m coming from?

    P.S. Zinc, in the words of Stephen Colbert, “You’re officially dead to me!”

19. JK February 6th, 2009 at 1:27 am 19

    afrika, get a life! an keep on watching telenovelas instead of participarting in this blog, the point here is The Reader….

    Maybe you should pair up with Zinc and the tackiness of both of you

20. Bobby C February 6th, 2009 at 1:34 am 20

    The Reader is more than a Holocaust movie; it’s a coming-of-age movie, it’s a romantic movie, it’s an erotic movie, it’s a movie about regret and forgiveness, about secrets and longing. I do feel Winslet’s role in the movie was supporting.

    As far as the supporting actress award, I’m rooting for Tomei for The Wrestler.

21. Chris February 6th, 2009 at 1:36 am 21

    I don’t like Ebert usually but he’s so right about The Reader.

22. andrew February 6th, 2009 at 1:43 am 22

    Like others have said, I don’t always agree with Ebert (His reviews for Benjamin Button, Blue Velvet, and The Usual Suspects are the top three I COMPLETELY disagree with) but for The Reader, I agree with wholeheartedly.

23. Scott February 6th, 2009 at 3:02 am 23

    @JK

    I saw the reader post globes, pre sags, and was most curious to see it to decide for myself – supporting or lead? that is the question…

    I can see the argument for both.

    Lead – she was on screen a lot, and while the boy is the true protagonist, his characterization takes backseat – he is telling us her story, not just his.

    Supporting – A lot of her screentime had her saying very little, and most of the plot is told from other peoples’ p.o.v.’s and her testimony at the trial – we hear a lot about her struggles, we don’t see a ton of it.

    I think about is as this: “supporting role” can range from one amazing scene (think Viola Davis) to a powerful performance of a character that is there to aid the protagonist (think Renee Zellwegger in Cold Mountain). In the case of Winslet in The Reader, the story being told is her story, from the point of view of the film’s protagonist. However the whole subject of his story is her – so while she supports the protagonist, there is no true “lead” character. It’s kind of a toss up, to me at least.

    Though I would have loved to see a nod for Rev. Road and the inevitable Kate sweep

24. blizzards14 February 6th, 2009 at 3:34 am 24

    The Reader is a “flawed” movie but its amazing how it stays in your head, lingering, for days. Maybe its not as good as The Lives of Others but The Reader has Ms. Kate Winslet which effectively transcends the notion that art can free thy soul.

    I hope they show the “The” scene when they award the BA to Ms. Winslet.

25. red_wine February 6th, 2009 at 5:06 am 25

    Robert Hammer, I agree The Reader is sort of a missed opportunity, in that if maybe thought out a bit more, it might well have been a great movie. But its a good film nonetheless.

    I liked The Reader and agree that it is truly a lingering a film which will play out in your mind for days. It was certainly an unconventional take on Holocaust guilt. It was even-handed through out but very direct about its argument. The film, atleast to me partially seem to say or to suggest, or suggest that some of the characters feel that “so what?”. While another character during a passionate outburst says to his professor “You and my parents and the entire German society was in on it. Why don’t all of you go on trial.”

26. Matthew H February 6th, 2009 at 5:25 am 26

    The Reader isn’t a holocaust movie. It’s a bad movie. The Reader has become the film that most people are talking about because of the hugely mixed reactions. I thought it was pretty stupid and insulted the intelligence of the audience, particularly the decision that Schmitiz makes to go to prison rather than admit to being illiterate. Then again I have been told by others that I didn’t get it because I’m too young (is 30 too young) or because, on one notable occasion, I’m a sociopath.

27. Paul Outlaw February 6th, 2009 at 5:59 am 27

    “The Reader isn’t a holocaust movie. It’s a bad movie. The Reader has become the film that most people are talking about because of the hugely mixed reactions. I thought it was pretty stupid and insulted the intelligence of the audience, particularly the decision that Schmitiz makes to go to prison rather than admit to being illiterate. Then again I have been told by others that I didn’t get it because I’m too young (is 30 too young) or because, on one notable occasion, I’m a sociopath.”

    Think Fincher.

28. WeinsteinHater February 6th, 2009 at 7:24 am 28

    Do they like each other Roger Ebert and AO Scott? This is the second time I can remember Ebert ‘rebuttin’ passionately with AO Scott.

    Does anyone remember when the other time was?

    Hmmmmmmm

29. Euan February 6th, 2009 at 7:49 am 29

    He’s right to call out ‘Tony Scott’, but those who mistake it as a Holocaust film can be forgiven in the respect that those involved with the film didn’t know whether it really was or wasn’t about the Holocaust.

    It seemed that they couldn’t really grapple with the idea that they may actually be making a film about a naive mass-murderer whose greatest personal tragedy was apparently her illiteracy; but neither could Michael Berg, or Hanna herself – yet I doubt that makes it admissible.

30. HaroldsMaude February 6th, 2009 at 8:03 am 30

    Paul Outlaw-

    nice. (I agree with your assessment of Fincher and BB).

    zinc-

    Not nice.

31. Joe February 6th, 2009 at 8:38 am 31

    hello

32. Matthew H February 6th, 2009 at 8:42 am 32

    very nice paul – very nice indeed

33. Andrea February 6th, 2009 at 8:47 am 33

    “There is no such thing as a Holocaust movie,” well of course this isn’t true. Take a few movies out this year as case in point: “Good,” “Defiance,” “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.” Those are all Holocaust movies. The genre itself is basically established.

    The Reader, however, is not really a “Holocaust movie,” though it does start to encroach into that genre a tiny bit (at least the Book does): e.g. the scenes where the boy/man visits Auschwitz, the emphasis on Hannah’s eventual scholarly obsession with the genre and on wide-read authors of Holocaust literature.

    I equate The Reader in a way, with Let the Right One In. The movie wasn’t about Vampires, it was a coming-of-age, adolescent love story that just happened to be about Vampires, and we got to see a little bit of the creepy, folklore stuff. The Reader is a love story/ message movie about standing up for what’s right that just happens to be about the Holocaust, and we get to see a little bit of the horrifying reality of the time.

34. Afrika ( STOP Pe-no-talent Cruz from winning an oscar and Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian was ROBBED!!) February 6th, 2009 at 9:32 am 34

    Outlaw

    Way to spoil The Reader for people who haven’t watched it. god!

35. Matthew H February 6th, 2009 at 9:41 am 35

    Afrika – The Reader does a very good job of spoiling itself.

36. Afrika ( STOP Pe-no-talent Cruz from winning an oscar and Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian was ROBBED!!) February 6th, 2009 at 9:48 am 36

    Mathew H

    that’s your opinion. A lot of people I know like it, Kate’s performance is getting rave reviews and the academy obviously like it because its nominated for best picture. and it might win too

37. Matthew H February 6th, 2009 at 9:51 am 37

    You’re right, it is my opinion. We could go on for hours about the opinion of the academy but, to keep it short, I’m going to say that their opinion is usually rather stinky. Kate’s performance is, obviously, very good but the film, as a whole, is just poo.

38. Afrika ( STOP Pe-no-talent Cruz from winning an oscar and Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian was ROBBED!!) February 6th, 2009 at 10:13 am 38

    …again Mathew H. It is your opinion. In a world infested with the dark knight fanatics, Pe-no-talent Cruz ass-kissers (who actually think her performance in VCB is 0scar-worthy), its’ good to see a rare movie like The Reader which focuses solely on the craft.

39. Matthew H February 6th, 2009 at 10:18 am 39

    Again Afrika, you appear to missing the point of opinions here, as if what I say is opinion but what you say is fact. I really like Penelope Cruz who was funny in VCB and mind-blowingly brilliant in Volver. And The Reader focuses so much on the craft that it loses itself in a pit of perpetual boredom. You see…no wait…can’t be bothered.

40. Alex February 6th, 2009 at 10:22 am 40

    I sincerely hope Zinc just meant that there is no point for Ebert to speak up (and defend the film) because Oscar voters have already made up their minds…

    I hope.

41. Jon Stewart. February 6th, 2009 at 10:31 am 41

    Here’s a nice way of putting it so as not to offend anyone :

    THE READER stinks , and on Feb 23 , everyone will forget this movie ever existed.

    Films better than the reader that deserved a nomination :
    WALL – E
    TDK
    The wrestler
    Frozen River
    &
    Rachel Getting Married .

42. Zinc February 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am 42

    All i meant to say was that it is too late for Ebert to speak up , so what is the point ?

    Since most people have already formed an opinion on the movie.

    If he wanted to , he could have defended it earlier .

43. Afrika ( STOP Pe-no-talent Cruz from winning an oscar and Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian was ROBBED!!) February 6th, 2009 at 10:38 am 43

    Mathew H & Jon Stewart

    The reader is not the light-hearted. It’s like telling an engineer student to dissect the Mona lisa.

44. Tim H February 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am 44

    Matthew H: just poo? Gosh. Really? I respectfully disagree. I have seen The Reader twice and believe it is one of the better films of the year. Fine acting (not only by Oscar-worthy Kate, but Fiennes, Kross and Olin, too). It’s difficult for a story as sad as this one, juggling themes of guilt and complicity, to still be so compelling and, at least for me, quite rewarding.

    Of course, I know I’m in a minority here. And my choice for best film of 2008 is still The Dark Knight. I don’t know what that says about my tastes overall. But I will say that this ongoing Slumdog sweep is, well, just poo.

45. Afrika ( STOP Pe-no-talent Cruz from winning an oscar and Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian was ROBBED!!) February 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am 45

    Mathew H & Jon Stewart

    The Reader is NOT FOR the light-hearted. It’s like telling an engineer student to dissect the Mona lisa.

46. Andrea February 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am 46

    Agree with Jon Stewart for films better than the Reader.

    I would also replace Frost/ Nixon with any of those films.

47. Paul Outlaw February 6th, 2009 at 10:58 am 47

    “Paul Outlaw-

    nice. (I agree with your assessment of Fincher and BB).”

    That (#27) is definitely NOT my assessment of Benjamin Button or Fincher. I was just noticing how almost the same exact words (#26) are being used to “critique” both films, which seems to me somehow absurd.

    I loved Button, hated The Reader.

48. Gentle Benj February 6th, 2009 at 12:37 pm 48

    Paul, I chortled wickedly when Maude mistook you for a Button detractor. Couldn’t help meself.

    The parallel you identified there is interesting, and I think it highlights the reason I liked The Reader, but didn’t like Button. Daldry’s film recognizes Hanna’s sins, and does not set her up as a heroine. Fincher’s, on the other hand, stamps Benjamin as the hero from the beginning. Then, when his conduct does not live up to that status, the script makes excuses for him, rather than allowing him any internal conflict* over the decision.

    On second thought, though, Matthew’s objection to The Reader really isn’t that similar to my complaints about Button. Matthew’s contention is that Hanna’s behavior strains credibility; my argument is that Benjamin’s behavior, and the film’s slimy accommodation of it, reveal nasty attitudes about relationships and responsibility. In other words, Matthew thought The Reader was stupid. I found Button reprehensible.

    *And speaking of internal conflict, that’s another difference between the two films. The acting done by Kate Winslet, David Kross and Ralph Fiennes in their silent moments, makes Brad Pitt look like a big block of cedar.

49. red_wine February 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm 49

    There seems to be a lot of hate for The Reader, and I still sense a tinge a TDK bitterness in it all.

    I never said The Reader was Oscar worthy, its a good film & I wouldn’t mind at all watching it again, infact I’m sure I’ll still like it the second time around.

    But the thing is this, if the Academy had nominated some combination out of Wall-E & Happy-Go-Lucky & Wendy And Lucy & Rachel & Synecdoche & Milk or lets say TDK & the 5th nomination would have been The Reader, then I would have cried sacrilege.

    But The Academy has nominated Slumdog & Button & Frost/Nixon(along with deserving Milk), so The Reader fits in snugly with them. It does not merit being disparaged any more than any of those movies do.

    We all the Oscar nominations(and wins) this year are probably their biggest disaster this decade, then why single out only The Reader, the entire slate of nominees is below par, rag on everything, not just The Reader.

50. Violet February 6th, 2009 at 12:59 pm 50

    I don’t care about the others say. I really liked The Reader and I think the nomination was totally deserved. I’m also a big fan of the book as well. I’d be happy if The Reader won the Oscar, even though I know the chance is little. But we are talking about Harvey Weinstein, and the man is impossible. He works miracles, if you know what I mean…
    I know The Reader could’ve been a whole lot better, but, it’s not bad the way it is.
    I didn’t like Benjamin Button. It’s too Forrest Gump for my taste. And I think that casting Brad Pitt as the Button diminished very much the depth of the character. With a better actor, Button could’ve been a much more interesting part.
    I’m not a big fan of Slumdog either. Too much fairy tale for my skeptical mind. I really like Danny Boyle. It’s good to see some recognition for him, but, from the bottom of my heart, I don’t want Slumdog to win. Yeah, I know it’ll win anyway.
    I’m a great, great fan of Frost/Nixon. I usually don’t like Ron Howard very much, but I think he did a great job converting the play (which is amazing, really. I saw it in Broadway) to a movie. Langella is astounding and Michael Sheen is wonderful. He deserved a nomination. Peter Morgan always writes very intriguing and interesting scripts. I won’t say the movie deserves to win, but I can’t say I’d be angry if that happened. Again, very little chance.

51. sober February 6th, 2009 at 3:42 pm 51

    I have to agree, the Reader is flawed but it certainly stays in your heart. And in a way this makes it a good one. I don’t understand people bashing it.

52. moviegoer09 February 6th, 2009 at 4:01 pm 52

    I suppose anyone can defend a movie they like no matter how flawed it may be. Ebert did the same with “Crash” as he defended his choice of that movie as well. I personally don’t think “The Reader” is best pic material. I thought the pic had a stunning performance by Winslet and Kross but I just couldn’t buy the fact of how the sexual affair of the young man affected his entire life to the point he goes around confessing it at every encounter. I have to say I was laughing as the film ended. But then again I also laughed at the manipulative screenplay of “DOUBT”.

53. Zinc February 6th, 2009 at 4:01 pm 53

    Real Zinc here (last guy was an impostor). I meant what I posted, I wanted to come off as an ass.

54. HaroldsMaude February 6th, 2009 at 4:37 pm 54

    Real Zinc. Congratulations, you did.

    Paul Outlaw. Sorry I mistook your meaning in the post and especially conveyed you as a Button hater (which I am). I haven’t been able to see The Reader (we live in Boondocks, USA) and will be fascinated the re read the posts here for the discussion. Even if I don’t like it, I doubt if it will help me like Button any better, though.

55. Robert Hamer February 6th, 2009 at 5:55 pm 55

    I’m with you all the way, red_wine. Compared to Frost/Nixon and The Curious Case of Forrest Gump, The Reader doesn’t seem so bad.

56. Paul Outlaw February 6th, 2009 at 6:01 pm 56

    @ HaroldsMaude

    There are people who hate both Reader and Button, so anything’s possible. (There are also people who love them both, like our hosts.)

    I survived the hate/neglect of I’m Not There last year, so nothing surprises me anymore.

57. Anna February 6th, 2009 at 6:32 pm 57

    I loved The Reader. The night I saw it I was awake all night thinking about it. It’s rare that a movie can do that to me.

58. Scott February 7th, 2009 at 1:44 am 58

    @52

    I can see your point about the love affair being rather brief, to then inspire his whole life’s journey.

    But I will say, that I had a summer relationship once, not as… shall we say.. intense, as in The Reader (and both parties were of age, lol), and I could relate to the movie in that way. It was my first love, like the storyline in the film, and it is something that stays with me still. I don’t know that I’ll take my kids to his grave site, but it’s a story I have shared with others.

59. Mark February 7th, 2009 at 2:32 am 59

    Just saw VCB. One thing that surprised me was the gravitas of Penelope’s scenes with Javier Bardem. Histrionics and all, she really showed you a woman scorned and hell hath no fury. Case in point: Her street fight with Bardem after Johansson leaves their menage-a-trois. I hope that this will be her Oscar Clip.

60. Afrika ( STOP Pe-no-talent Cruz from winning an oscar and Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian was ROBBED!!) February 7th, 2009 at 12:24 pm 60

    Mark

    are you a fan of telenovelas? if not, that would explain your reaction to Cruz’s performance.

61. Mark February 7th, 2009 at 5:56 pm 61

    You completely missed the point Afrika.
    Is Cruz’s performance telenovela material? I think not.
    I have no opinion of telenovelas whatsoever. The same goes for american soaps. I just think that the character was alive, fiery and warm-blooded. She does deserve the Oscar nomination. As for the win, I don’t know. I am actually rooting for Marisa Tomei.
    Note: It is easy for someone to just dismiss Penelope’s performance as “all histrionics” and no gravitas. Do you understand?