Best Picture Nominee: The Reader (2008)

Middle aged German barrister Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes) recollects to himself his lifelong acquaintance with Hanna Schmitz, (Kate Winslet) a relationship with whom he never disclosed to anyone close to him. Young Michael (David Kross) first met Hanna in 1958, when he was fifteen, she thirty-six. Hilarity ensued as the two had a turbulent summer long love affair, dictated by Hanna that their encounters would begin with him reading to her followed by lovemaking. Michael next encountered Hanna in 1966, when Michael, now a law student, attended the Nazi war crimes trial of five female former S.S. concentration camp guards, one of whom is Hanna. Through listening to the testimony, Michael comes to the realization that he is in possession of information which could save Hanna from a life in prison, information which she herself is unwilling to disclose. In deciding what to do, Michael is torn between his differing views of justice.

Trivia: Stephan Daldry's first choice for the lead role was Kate Winslet, who originally turned down the offer due to a scheduling conflict with Revolutionary Road. When Nicole Kidman accepted the role, the producers built in a hiatus in order to allow her to finish filming Australia. However, by the time Kidman was set to begin her scenes on the film, she withdrew because of her pregnancy, vacating the role. Winslet, who was now available, agreed to replace Kidman. Producers Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella both died before the completion of the movie. As the film was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, the Academy made an exception from their rules not to name more than three producers as nominees because of this rare circumstance. In the end the two producers Donna Gigliotti and Redmand Morris who took over duties were nominated as well as the posthumously honored Minghella and Pollack. The shooting took a break for David Kross to turn 18 so the love scene could be shot.

The movie is divided into two parts. The Affair, and The Trial. I think Winslet does a good job portraying Hanna in both parts of her life. Winslet is nominated for Best Actress which is curious because she was nominateed for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for the same role.