The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Michael meets his daughter Julia at a brasserie; they greet each other awkwardly.

Scene 89 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Julia
Michael

Act oneAct two

Begins 33 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 89

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 86
In 1995, Michael sits alone in the courthouse, thinking.
Scene 87
Michael submerges his head in the lake as sunlight flashes across the water.
Scene 88
An assistant tells Michael it is eight o’clock and his daughter has arrived; he gets up.
Scene 89
This scene

89INT. BRASSERIE. BERLIN. NIGHT

JULIA is already at the table in a chic modern brasserie. She is a sympathetic young woman of around 23. MICHAEL approaches. When she sees him, she gets up.

JULIA

I was early.

MICHAEL leans in and kisses her on the cheek.

MICHAEL

Julia.

They’re uneasy. She looks a moment, then they sit down.

MICHAEL

Welcome back.