The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

At the lake, Michael watches Sophie swim and talks with her and Holger about the American visitors.

Scene 70 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Holger
Michael
Sophie

Act oneAct two

Begins 27 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 70

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 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
As the teacher discusses the Odyssey, Michael stares at Sophie and is teased for it.
Scene 70
This scene

70EXT. SWIMMING LAKE. DAY

MICHAEL is riveted as SOPHIE swims fast and lithe through the water. Around him, YOUNG PEOPLE are lounging round on towels. It’s the social centre. HOLGER and RUDOLF are rubbing their hair with towels as SOPHIE approaches.

HOLGER

Michael the water’s fantastic.

MICHAEL

It’s wonderful, isn’t it?

HOLGER

Wonderful. It’s going to be a great

summer.

MICHAEL looks across to where a group of AMERICANS are shouting and playing a very loud game of volleyball.

HOLGER

Now the Americans have allowed us

back in our own lake.

SOPHIE

Why are they so loud?

HOLGER

You should see their stores. They

have everything.

MICHAEL

Oh sure. Everything mankind could

ever dream of.

SOPHIE

You don’t like Americans?

MICHAEL

Just it’s more fun without them.

He looks SOPHIE straight in the eye. There is a sudden silence, MICHAEL looking straight at SOPHIE. SOPHIE looks down. Then MICHAEL moves slightly to pack up his stuff.

SOPHIE

Why do you leave early?

HOLGER

He always leaves early.