The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

At dusk, Michael undresses and slips into the deserted lake, lying almost motionless in the water.

Scene 85 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 32 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 85

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 82
Michael finds Hanna’s apartment emptied and lies down on the stripped bed.
Scene 83
Michael sleeps curled up, fully clothed, in Hanna’s empty apartment.
Scene 84
Michael returns to his family at breakfast; his father welcomes him back without pressing him.
Scene 85
This scene

85EXT. SWIMMING LAKE. DUSK

MICHAEL is alone in the deserted pool. He is on the jetty. He takes off his clothes and slips into the water. Just his head, like a seal’s, at one end, just out of the water, quite still.