Kate Winslet - Michael/Hanna [The Reader] #1: Because he never really forgot her - Page 5

**Lennie1984** · 04-25-2009, 07:31 AM

I think it was the effect of the relationship it had esp after the trial - also he was more into that relationship then she was, and he showed it to her but she was always more closed in that sense

I also thought he had the guilt of not saying anything to Hanna during the trial when he finally learnt her secret, and he's carried that around with him for so many years and also that love and longing he has for her

Also at the beginning Michael felt he needed her more (when the affair began) and then at then end Hanna as a old women needed him more

michelle ling · 04-27-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LG rocks my socks (View Post)

Why do y'all think Michael had to forgive himself for loving her? Was it because of the fact that they had the affair in general? or because of the kind of person Hanna turned out to be? or maybe because of the effect that this relationship had on his entire life afterwards?

Just trying to discuss

I think the main reason that Michael felt guilty for his love is that he found despite all Hannah did, he still loved her. He knew he shouldn't love a Nazi, but he couldn't help his feelings. And deep down, he still couldn't accept the fact that the woman he loved so much had turned out to be such a cold-blooded killer. He just couldn't believe that. In a way, Michael felt betrayed because of what Hannah had done. And he lost faith in humanity as well as his ability to love.

Jojo · 04-28-2009, 07:47 AM

to all of the above.

Chelle Belle - You have a great way of expressing your views. Very well put!

Laurababora · 05-02-2009, 04:38 PM

Can I please be added to the list? I just saw this movie and I thought it was absolutely amazing! Kate, David and Ralph did a phenomenal job and the story was one of the best I've heard in a long time.

**Lennie1984** · 05-02-2009, 05:34 PM

^ added you

I am glad you loved it

Jojo · 05-03-2009, 05:14 AM

^^ Welcome

**Lennie1984** · 05-06-2009, 01:21 PM

McAwesome · 05-07-2009, 07:38 AM

It upset me that he didn't speak up for her at the trial.

**Lennie1984** · 05-07-2009, 08:00 AM

I dont think Hanna would have wanted that, esp how she just took the blame - i think Michael understood

Jojo · 05-08-2009, 02:35 AM

I hoped he would speak up for her, but since he was so conflicted, him staying silent didn't really surprise me. And to me, it was obvious she took the blame to conceal her illiteracy. It was the easiest way out. You could argue that she was brave to do that, but in a way, in a way, it was also a slight act of cowardice. At least imo. She was controlled by her own fear. I think that could be applied to Michael as well.

Rukia · 06-06-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jojo (View Post)

I hoped he would speak up for her, but since he was so conflicted, him staying silent didn't really surprise me. And to me, it was obvious she took the blame to conceal her illiteracy. It was the easiest way out. You could argue that she was brave to do that, but in a way, in a way, it was also a slight act of cowardice. At least imo. She was controlled by her own fear. I think that could be applied to Michael as well.

Agreed, Jojo. Hanna would rather be found guilty of the crimes than be revealed to be illiterate. She was so ashamed of it. I was upset when Michael didn't speak up either, but I understood why he was so conflicted. He couldn't understand why a woman he was so in love with could do such a horrible thing. Was it also a sort of revenge, too? Did he want to punish her for just disappearing like that, too? I kind of got that vibe, too. It was quite heartbreaking that Michael was so affected by Hanna that he couldn't make his relationships with other women work.

Jojo · 06-08-2009, 05:50 AM

I rewatched some of the movie briefly the other day (got it on dvd

) and I have to say yes to him wanting to punish her a bit. She ruined parts of his life, so of course he was mad. As much as I detested Hanna's actions, I did feel a bit of empathy towards her.

**Lennie1984** · 06-08-2009, 08:24 AM

I still need to get it on dvd, i hope i will soon

I agree with what you say, she did kinda ruin his life also she was still ruining his life whilst he watched at the trial - he could see the pain in his face

Rukia · 06-08-2009, 10:16 PM

I do believe that a part of Michael wanted to punish Hanna. Now that I think about it, I remember when he met with old Hanna, he asked her along the lines of "Do you feel bad about what you did?" (I don't remember the exact line.) She responded along the lines of "There's nothing I can do about it. The dead are still dead." I think he was hoping that Hanna would find some redemption by being in prison. He's hoping the good that he saw in her from beginning would surface again.

I felt the same as you, Jojo. I did feel a little bit sorry for Hanna, but I also felt the same as Michael. Like him, I was surprised and disgusted to know about her involvement with the Nazis, but I can't bring myself to completely hate her. That's what so amazing about what Kate did with her role as Hanna -- you hate her, you love her, you feel sorry for her, all at the same time. Amazing.

Jojo · 06-09-2009, 12:35 AM

I agree. You don't want to feel for her, but you do. Especially when the other people on trial go against her, making her their scapegoat, even though, due to her illiteracy, she was not the main one in charge.