Category III. “The Reader” is director Stephen Daldry’s (“The Hours”) drama about sexual awakening, shame, guilt and redemption. It’s one of the most oddly moving film experiences this year, and in it Kate Winslet delivers one of her most emotionally charged and uninhibited (and yes, naked) performances since “Iris” and “Holy Smoke.”
A British gangster film. Starring Colin Farrell. Set in Belgium. Admittedly, that doesn’t sound like the most inviting of films. But In Bruges is full of surprises, not least that Bruges itself is a beautiful city and, more importantly from the film’s point of view, that Farrell really can act when he wants to.
After suspicions that his wife is having an affair, diplomat Justin Quayle’s (Ralph Fiennes) life is turned upside down when his exuberant wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz), is killed in Kenya. At first, Justin is grief stricken and unsure what to believe about Tessa’s fidelity. But then he stumbles across the project Tessa was working on before she died that uncovers corporate conspiracy, government cover-ups, bribery and murder.
In our digital age, let’s celebrate Wallace and Gromit—small lumps of plasticine with big, big hearts.
