The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Michael admits he was difficult and not always open with Julia; she says she had assumed his distance was her fault.

Scene 90 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 33 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 90

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 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
Michael meets his daughter Julia at a brasserie; they greet each other awkwardly.
Scene 90
This scene

90INT. RESTAURANT. NIGHT

Later. They have eaten. They both have big glasses of red wine. It’s more relaxed.

MICHAEL

So how will you decide?

JULIA

I don’t know. I’m happy back in

Berlin, I suppose.

MICHAEL

You’ve seen your mother?

JULIA nods.

JULIA

I wanted to get away. There was

nothing more to it. It was Paris,

but it could have been anywhere.

MICHAEL

Away from your parents?

JULIA doesn’t answer.

MICHAEL

I’m aware I was difficult. I wasn’t

always open with you. I’m not open

with anyone.

JULIA

I knew you were distant. I’d always

assumed it was my fault.

MICHAEL

Julia. How wrong can you be?

JULIA colours, on the verge of tears. Then she looks away.