The Reader was a slick and heartfelt collaboration between seasoned producers (Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack), director (Stephen Daldry) and actors (Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes). The end result is a dark but very moving film. There were two relative newcomers who had a crucial role in the film's success - young German actor David Kross, in his Hollywood debut, and American composer Nico Muhly, with only his fifth soundtrack.

This is one of the few light moments in the score and film, showing a happy moment at the peak of the doomed relationship.