Books and Oscar

Three films based on books have been received Oscar nominations for 2009. They are The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire and Revolutionary Road.

"The Reader" –in which Kate Winslet stars – is an adaptation of Bernhard Schlink’s novel. The Reader is a brief tale about sex, love, reading, and shame in postwar Germany which raises questions about our ability to understand and forgive. The film has received nominations in the Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.

"Slumdog Millionaire" - an uplifting tale of a boy from the Mumbai slums – is based on the book Q and A by Vikas Swarup. It is about a boy who wins a billion rupees on a quiz show and he finds himself thrown in jail as the organizers do not believe that he could possibly have won without cheating. In recounting his life story to his lawyer, we learn of the events in his life that provided him with the answers to the questions. The film was nominated in the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.

"Revolutionary Road" - directed by Sam Mendes and featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet - is based on the 1961 novel of the same title by Richard Yates. Described as a masterpiece of realistic fiction for its rendering of the malaise at the heart of the American Dream, it is also a timeless portrait of youthful disillusionment. It's the story of Frank and April Wheeler, a bright, beautiful, and talented couple who see themselves as special. Determined not to be trapped by the social confines of the era, they move to France. As their relationship deteriorates into an endless cycle of squabbling, jealousy and recriminations, their trip and their dreams of self-fulfillment are thrown into jeopardy. Michael Shannon has been nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Award for his part in the film.

The Academy Awards ceremony takes place on February 22.