The Reader: one fabulous movie

The Reader amazed me. This movie forces you to erase some black-and-white thinking and color it with never-ending shades of uncertainty. I'm dying to write a review with complete plot summary, but for the sake of my loyal reader, I'll refrain from ruining the story. Nevertheless, here's a little tease:

It begins with Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes) reflecting on his past: A secret affair between Hannah Schmitz (Kate Winslet), an older woman, and the teen-aged Michael (David Kross). Eight years later, while a law student attending a criminal trial, Michael learns his former lover lived a past that represents the worst evil of his country's history.

A 20th-century Madame LaFarge records the certainty of Hannah's guilt with her knitting needles while Michael watches in anguish. Hannah is guilty, but she is accused of a leadership role she could not possibly have played.

I'll tell no more. Go see it.