The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Michael sleeps curled up, fully clothed, in Hanna’s empty apartment.

Scene 83 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 32 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 83

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 80
After Michael leaves, Hanna washes out the milk bottles, picks up her luggage, and leaves the empty apartment.
Scene 81
Michael watches Sophie and friends swim, then runs away when Sophie calls after him.
Scene 82
Michael finds Hanna’s apartment emptied and lies down on the stripped bed.
Scene 83
This scene

83INT. HANNA’S APARTMENT. NIGHT

MICHAEL lying on the bed, curled up, in his clothes, like a foetus, asleep.