The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

As the teacher discusses the Odyssey, Michael stares at Sophie and is teased for it.

Scene 69 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 26 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 69

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 66
Michael joins his client just before the judge enters; he sits and drifts into memory.
Scene 67
Sophie and another girl approach their new classroom, joking about how they will behave among the boys.
Scene 68
The girls join the boys’ class; Sophie introduces herself to Michael before the lesson begins.
Scene 69
This scene

69INT. SCHOOL. DAY

Later. The TEACHER is in full flow. MICHAEL can’t take his eyes off SOPHIE.

TEACHER

Everyone believes that Homer’s

subject is homecoming. In fact, The

Odyssey is a book about a journey.

Home is a place you dream of, it’s

not a place you ever attain.

The TEACHER breaks off.

TEACHER

Berg, I don’t mean to distract you,

but we’re meant to studying Homer,

not studying Sophia.

The whole class cracks up. MICHAEL blushes.