The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

In the bath, Hanna praises Michael’s reading; he admits he is surprised to be good at anything.

Scene 36 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Act oneAct two

Begins 15 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 36

As a law student, Michael sees Hanna, his former lover, on trial for war crimes and must face the secret that shaped their teenage relationship.

Scenes 1–6
In 1995, Michael prepares breakfast for Brigitte, then is alone in his apartment and looks out the window.
Scenes 7–24
The sick schoolboy Michael accepts Hanna’s help and returns to her.
Scenes 25–35
Michael enters an intimate relationship with Hanna, organized around his reading to her.
Just before
Scene 33
The schoolboys leave class; newly confident Michael lingers, then slips away alone.
Scene 34
Michael sneaks out the school’s back door, climbs the railings, and runs down the street.
Scene 35
Hanna asks about school and languages; Michael recites Latin and Greek, then reads Lessing to her.
Scene 36
This scene

36INT. KITCHEN. NIGHT

Later. They are in the bath together. HANNA takes a piece of soap and runs it lovingly down his cheek. Then she passes the soap across his stomach.

HANNA

You’re good at it, aren’t you?

MICHAEL

Good at what?

HANNA

Reading.

He smiles.

HANNA

Why are you smiling?

MICHAEL

Because I didn’t think I was good

at anything.