The Reader (1988)

A multi-faceted film based on Raymond Jean's novel "La Lectrice". Constance (Miou-Miou) reads the novel aloud in bed to her lover. Inspired by the story of Marie, a woman who advertises her services as a reader of literature, Constance decides to do the same. Here the film takes on a kaleidoscopic effect as the lives of Constance and Marie become merged, making it hard to distinguish what is real and what is fantasy. This structure is further complicated when the lives of Constance's clients become tangled with the stories she reads. The film is interspersed with readings from well known literary sources as diverse as, amongst others, Baudelaire, Duras, Tolstoy, Lewis Carroll and de Sade's "120 days..."

All Releases

Domestic (100%)
$699,397
International ()
Worldwide
$699,397
Summary Details
Running Time1 hr 39 min
GenresComedy Drama

By Region

Domestic# ReleasesLifetime GrossRank
Domestic$699,3979,169
Detailed breakdowns are not available for some areas.