Instead, The Reader tells the story of a Michael Berg (the young, German David Kross) who, when he falls ill on his way home from school, is cared for by the stern but kind Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet).  Over the course of months, the pair develop an intimate relationship that is immediately sexual but also sweetly intimate.  Of course, it is forced to end and Michael grows up with Hanna as a dear memory.  When he encounters her later, as a law student, he is forced to face the fact that just because he has fond memories of her, he really knew very little of this complex older woman.

The first half of the film, with scene after scene of sensual intimacy is provocative and compelling.  As Michael, Kross naivete is charming while his attractive qualities – a youthful smoothness in both his physicality and his mannerisms.  He is unapologetically enthusiastic about his affections for Hanna.  In her part, Winslet is cautious, but obviously taken in by Michael’s charms.  Stern and sometimes unyielding, but ultimately genunie in her feelings for him.

The second  half of the film was something I didn’t expect, to the point that I won’t give away Hanna’s secret.  Suffice to say, an older Michael is played by Ralph Fiennes (his resemblance to David Kross is passing at best), while Winslet it aged (not so masterfully) with makeup effects.  The story reinforces the true nature of their relationship and is touching, if not happy.

The Reader explores interesting themes of post-World War II Germany in a way that hasn’t been tested before and this alone makes it compelling.  These underlying notions in conjunction with strong performances and delicate direction make for one of the better films to come out of the 2008 Oscar season.

Sometimes I think that I might just be a lesbian that likes sex with men.  Those times include whenever I see Keira Knightley.  I used to think that I hated her, for whatever reason, out of sheer jealousy that she’s so thin and successful maybe.  But every time I see her face, I just can’t look away.  I think she’s so spectacularly beautiful.

So I can’t help but think that these warm feelings for Ms. Knightley colored my opinion of her most recent foray into corset-wearing drama (where you even find a corset in a size 0 is beyond me), The Duchess.  In a “tale as old as time” fashion, Keira, as Georgiana Spencer, finds herself betrothed to the Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes — wtf, how do you pronounce his name anyway?  Rafe?  Ralph?  who knows).  They marry and it’s all very glamorous until she finds out that all he wants from her is a male heir and for her to stay out of the damn way while he does what, and who, he pleases.  This includes him expecting her to warmly welcome and raise a young girl that comes to live with them who he had fathered 6 years before, with another woman.  Georgiana and her headstrong nature do not take too kindly to this setup, but she tries to do her duty as duchess.  Unfortunately she gives birth to a couple of girls first.

Anyway, I’m getting kind of bored writing this synopsis.  It’s all very dramatic and there are affairs and kids and temper tantrums and almost some lesbian sex between Knightly and Hayley Atwell (remember her lusciousness?) Everything is very heavy and detailed and brocade and regal and larger than life and I really enjoyed it.  And I’m in love with Keira Knightley…did I mention that?