The Reader makes for compelling viewing.

Over the past few weeks I've posted about a number of movies that are amongst the front runners in the upcoming Oscars. We are two days away from the Academy Awards where we will learn which ones take the golden statuettes. Yesterday afternoon I had a pleasure of watching one more movie that stands a very good chance, in a least 2 of the 5 categories it has been nominated in.

The Reader stars Kate Winslet, who was given a double victory when she won Golden Globes for both The Reader as a supporting actress as well as the leading actress on another masterpiece of hers with Titanic co-star Leonardo Di Caprio, Revolutionary Road. Also on the bill is Ralph Fiennes, who has proved time and time again an indisputed talent. The acting from both parties is superb. Even the young actor, David Kross shows us a great deal of talent as the young Michael Berg (played by Fiennes in the older years).

The story was also quite different and refreshing. In summary, Hanna (Winslet) carries on a tumultous affair with a teenager schoolkid, Michael (Kross, and later Fiennes), that end with both parties heartbroken, moreso, the young Michael. They get an opportunity to re-unite later when Hanna stands trial for heinous crimes by the Germans against the Jews, in which Hanna is one of the accused and Mike a law student doing his practicals. Although he gets a chance to avail himself, re-unite with his old flame, and possibly help Hanna get acquitted, he decides against it. When both eventually re-unite, the obvious regrets for leaving things the way they were are revealed.

It's a story about love, about tragedy, about morality or the lack thereof, and ultimately the dynamics between men and women and their differences. It's a very heavy film because of its sombre nature. You do get annoyed at their actions, but also at the same time sympathise with both thier flawed characters. It was really compelling viewing, from start to finish. The fine acting on display alone makes for an amazing film.

The Reader opens at cinemas in Mzansi on the 27th of March 2009.

Be sure to check it out when it releases. In the meantime, check out the Oscars on Sunday to see which films are deemed the best for this year. I'm rooting for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (especially for Teraji P. Henson), The Reader, Slumdog Millionare and of course The Dark Knight because I really want the late Heath Ledger to make history (he's always be among my all-time favoutite actors).