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It is not a new film, and I just watched it during my flight to Italy. It was said to be an excellent film, and after watching it I must agree. It is just very good and also very sad too.

The movie talks about a lawyer Michael who had an affair with a 36-year-old tram conductor Hanna when he was 15 years old. She was illiterate and wanted the boy to read for her after making out. One day, knowing she was promoted in job, Hanna left abruptly without a trace.

Later Michael was now a law school student, he went to a court case as part of a study. It was about some Nazi trial and one of the defendants was Hanna. She was accused of planning the whole killing operation. She was illiterate and therefore could not plan and record the whole operation in paper, which was taken as the key evidence in the trial. Instead of defending herself, Hanna admitted the crime to hide her illiteracy and was given a life sentence.

Michael found her in a prison in New York but never visited her. However, he recorded his reading of the books he once read to her during their affair, and sent those tapes to her cell. She then learnt to read and write, and finally wrote letters to thank him. Later, Michael received a phone call from the prison saying that Hanna would be released soon and asked him to find a place for her to live and work. He did and finally visited Hanna.

They didn't say much and departed. Before the day Hanna was released, she killed herself leaving nothing but a tin can having money inside and a note for Michael. She wanted the money to be given to one of the victims in that crime she admitted, but that daughter of the victim refused. Michael suggested to donate the money to a Jewish charity group which combated illiteracy and the lady agreed. The film ends with Michael seeing her distant daughter, and he began to tell this story to her at the grave of Hanna.

It is a very well done film with Kate Winslet excellent performance. The story is very sad and you can feel the helplessness in each character. There are struggles, and there are secrets to keep. But when things conflict, how much do you think you can take or give up in order to save yourself or someone else?

Very very good, and I urge you to watch it.


Vincent, the Angelworld Webmaster