100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 112: Mannenharten

Director: Mark de Cloe

Genre: Romance/ Comedy

Runtime: 100 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Daan Schuurmans, Barry Atsma, Jeroen Spitzenberger, Teun Kuilboer, Jon van Eerd, Georgina Verbaan, Fabian Jansen, Katja Herbers, Liliana de Vries, Hadewych Minis, Kim Feenstra, Ton Kas, Sanne Vogel, Thekla Reuten

Description: Following the love lives of different types of men in Amsterdam.

Review: In the Dutch romcom “Mannenharten” we don’t meet women who doubt their love life, but six men who struggle with themselves and problems with love.

With so many protagonist in one film, director Mark de Cloe got together some of the most well-known Dutch actors. But none of these actors get the chance to give their character a deeper personality, because we constantly switch from one storyline to another.

The chaotic Wouter never had a real goal in life. Now life is even more complicated when his girlfriend appears to be pregnant. Womanizer Daan can get all the women in the world, but was in love only once. Tim is about to marry his high school sweetheart, but starts doubting if this is it. Frank screwed up his relationship with Susanne and really wants her back. But she falls for the clumbsy Niels.

Although “Mannenharten” has so many storylines, it never gets complicated. It’s pleasant to watch, but it’s all a bit too simple. And predictable and cliché. I don’t mind cliché, if it’s done well, but that’s not the deal here.

“Mannenharten” is nothing unique, but it’s not dull either. It’s a fun watch, but never gets above average.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 23: Lucia de B.

Director: Paula van der Oest

Genre: Drama/ Crime

Runtime: 97 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Ariane Schluter, Annet Malherbe, Sallie Harmsen, Barry Atsma, Fedja van Huêt, Marwan Kenzari, Fockeline Ouwerkerk, Marcel Musters, Reinout Bussemaker, Bas Keijzer, Ad Nippels, Jochum de Haaf, Amanda Ooms, Isis Cabolet, Ronald Top

Description: A psychological thriller, based on one of the most controversial court cases in the Netherlands. Lucia (Ariane Schluter), a nurse, is sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly having killed at least seven babies and elderly people.

Review: With “Lucia de B.”, the adaptation of one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in the Netherlands, director Paula van der Oest hits a nerve. Many people in the Netherlands know the name Lucia de B. The nurse, that was convicted eleven years ago for murdering several of her patients, was acquitted. How can an innocent woman sit in prison for six year, based on assumptions and gossip? The truth of this judicial miss comes to light in the Dutch drama “Lucia de B.”

During her nightshift Lucia de Berk takes care of Timo, a newborn baby with big health problems. When his conditions worsens, Dr. Kobus is paged. Clearly not focused the doctor declares the child stabile and leaves. The diagnose was wrong, because baby Timo dies a couple of hours later. Bad for Lucia, because this is one of the many incidents where she was present during the loss of a patient. The hospital presses charges. Baby Timo supposedly died of digoxin poisoning, but the pathologist can’t find any puncture wounds. Based on select proof, assumptions and gossip, Lucia is arrested and questioned. Her traumatic youth, where she was forced into prostitution as a teenager, works against her. She is associated with seven deaths and ‘the angel of death’ is sentenced for a lifetime in prison.

Judith Jansen, a public prosecutor who was part of the arrest, starts doubting her own judgment. She wants to proof Lucia’s innocents.

True stories always hit you hard, because at the time it actually happened people followed the story in the news. People always have their own judgment. The tough role of Lucia de B. is played by Ariane Schluter, and she does a pretty good job. Also Fedja van Huêt, as Lucia’s attorney, plays his role very well. The other actors don’t seem as driven as Schluter and Van Huêt.

Aside from the mediocre acting, the story is interesting and intriguing.

Rating: 3/ 5