I wish this film were called "Karakters" as we really could use an in-depth look at more than just the one. As a child, our hero had a less humane upbringing than Tarzan. His story is one that is entwined with (and battled against) his father.
As an American, while I am not well versed with this root story, many other elements of the film feel very familiar. The device of reflecting back during a police interrogation, the good cop/bad cop operation and an excellent sweeping score. And as someone else commented, the lead bore a more than passing resemblance to Robert Downey, Jr.
The cinematography is outstanding, albeit consistently leaden. I found a red dress striking not only due to its attractive inhabitant, but largely in juxtaposition to such stark scenery. As others have mentioned, how is it that Mike Van Diem does not seem to have anything else going on after this? Is something rotten in Rotterdam??
The silence and surliness of many of the characters made this 2+ hour film feel even longer. Yet paradoxically, it felt as if it were a miniseries of misery that had suffered itself to be reduced down to this running time. Again I think many other characters would have been well-served by more inspection aside from sneers, scowls and other face dances.
That being said, the casting is superb. A gentleman with a pronounced underbite at first was hard to stop staring at because of his physical features. Later I found myself constantly on the look-out for him, as he injected some of the precious little compassion into the film. The film cries for him to yell out, and when he does it is one the more powerful and more satisfying moments.
Cruelty abounds, but I found myself hoping for a look into, or a monologue from, the evil father. There is a striking dream-sequence that suggests more profound depths to his despicable nature. Other actions suggest his loathing may be at its most extreme when aimed at himself. Afterwards I found myself wondering about a chicken/egg dilemma involving the parents; is it that the mother denies the father what he denies others and himself as well? Charity. Humanity.
This is a film devoid of those aspects of life, and thus moralistic...like a novel you would read in 8th grade. Gritty and gripping. And not for everyone, and not on Friday nights typically. It is telling that despite children being beaten, the intellectual torture is really what resounds in this film.
If you don't mind such a Grimm tale, then you will likely enjoy the meticulous construction of this story. Interlocking plot elements are introduced with the subtlety of a chess match.
If I had to come up with a one-word review, I'd say this film is "unremitting." That along with the fact that we did not get to see inside the fascinating father/foe made this ultimately an unsatisfying film for me. A repeated issue for me in films from all over the world arises when evil and good are clearly separated.
Of course there's always the notion that subtitles distract and detract from a film. It was telling that at times when the father was attacked, his assailants would scream (well in words on the screen) "Bastard." Maybe a Dutch audience would have heard more, especially in a pivotal (and problematic for me) scene involving the mother and Lorna.
6/10
PS For some reason, I keep thinking of the "monster" from Hal Hartley's "No Such Thing" in conjunction with the father in this film.
As an American, while I am not well versed with this root story, many other elements of the film feel very familiar. The device of reflecting back during a police interrogation, the good cop/bad cop operation and an excellent sweeping score. And as someone else commented, the lead bore a more than passing resemblance to Robert Downey, Jr.
The cinematography is outstanding, albeit consistently leaden. I found a red dress striking not only due to its attractive inhabitant, but largely in juxtaposition to such stark scenery. As others have mentioned, how is it that Mike Van Diem does not seem to have anything else going on after this? Is something rotten in Rotterdam??
The silence and surliness of many of the characters made this 2+ hour film feel even longer. Yet paradoxically, it felt as if it were a miniseries of misery that had suffered itself to be reduced down to this running time. Again I think many other characters would have been well-served by more inspection aside from sneers, scowls and other face dances.
That being said, the casting is superb. A gentleman with a pronounced underbite at first was hard to stop staring at because of his physical features. Later I found myself constantly on the look-out for him, as he injected some of the precious little compassion into the film. The film cries for him to yell out, and when he does it is one the more powerful and more satisfying moments.
Cruelty abounds, but I found myself hoping for a look into, or a monologue from, the evil father. There is a striking dream-sequence that suggests more profound depths to his despicable nature. Other actions suggest his loathing may be at its most extreme when aimed at himself. Afterwards I found myself wondering about a chicken/egg dilemma involving the parents; is it that the mother denies the father what he denies others and himself as well? Charity. Humanity.
This is a film devoid of those aspects of life, and thus moralistic...like a novel you would read in 8th grade. Gritty and gripping. And not for everyone, and not on Friday nights typically. It is telling that despite children being beaten, the intellectual torture is really what resounds in this film.
If you don't mind such a Grimm tale, then you will likely enjoy the meticulous construction of this story. Interlocking plot elements are introduced with the subtlety of a chess match.
If I had to come up with a one-word review, I'd say this film is "unremitting." That along with the fact that we did not get to see inside the fascinating father/foe made this ultimately an unsatisfying film for me. A repeated issue for me in films from all over the world arises when evil and good are clearly separated.
Of course there's always the notion that subtitles distract and detract from a film. It was telling that at times when the father was attacked, his assailants would scream (well in words on the screen) "Bastard." Maybe a Dutch audience would have heard more, especially in a pivotal (and problematic for me) scene involving the mother and Lorna.
6/10
PS For some reason, I keep thinking of the "monster" from Hal Hartley's "No Such Thing" in conjunction with the father in this film.