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

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 132: Soof

Director: Antoinette Beumer

Genre: Romance/ Comedy

Runtime: 100 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Lies Visschendijk, Fedje van Huêt, Dan Karaty, Lobke de Boer, Chantal Janzen, Anneke Blok, Alex Klaasen, George van Houts, Maryam Hassouni, Dick van den Toorn, Sanne Wallis de Vries, Eva Laurenssen

Description: Soof (Lies Visschendijk) is reaching 40 and has everything she ever wanted: three children, a small catering business, a sweet husband Kasper (Fedja van Huêt) and a lovely home. Until she starts asking herself: 'is this all there is'?

Review: The life of an average housewife isn’t all that simple, proofs director Antoinette Beumer with her romantic comedy “Soof”. Together with her husband Kasper and her three kids, Soof lives the perfect little family life. Kasper brings in the money and Soof is mostly busy with the kids. All this chaos makes it almost impossible for Soof the get her catering company of the ground. One day the couple decides to change something. Kasper takes some time off from work and Soof will be the main breadwinner. Her career as a caterer gets a boost after meeting the handsome choreographer Jim, but that also puts her relationship with Kasper in danger.

Actress Lies Visschendijk is most known for her role in the Dutch TV show “Gooische Vrouwen”. Giving her the lead is the perfect decision. Together with Fedja van Huêt, who plays her husband, she makes this film fun to watch. The supporting actors sadly don’t have that flair, especially Dan Karaty isn’t a very good actor. With that the movie misses a very tight storyline, which gives it some loose ends here and there.

If you look at the complete picture, “Soof” is an enjoyable fun for a night with the girls and it gives you a good feeling. Because sometimes the stress of the day has to be put aside to have eye for everyday beauty.

Rating: 3/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 69: Daglicht

Director: Diederik van Rooijen

Genre: Thriller

Runtime: 114 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Angela Schijf, Fedja van Huet, Monique van de Ven, Thijs Römer, Victor Löw, Matteo van der Grijn, Derek de Lint, Daniel Verbaan

Description: The ambitious lawyer Iris (Angela Schijf) has to find a balance between her single motherhood and her job as attorney of shady cases. When she is housesitting for her mother, she discovers a dark family secret.

Review: “Daglicht” is an adaptation of the novel by Dutch author Marion Pauw, which was released in 2008. The story follows Iris, a single mother with a son who shows signs of autism. Her icy cold mother helps her out when she’s working. When Iris is keeping an eye on her mother’s house, she finds out she has a brother, Ray. He’s in jail for the double murder of a young woman and her baby. Iris starts to investigate the case and realizes that the truth isn’t out in the open yet.

The story is very good, you get sucked in very easily. There is this mysterious atmosphere. “Daglicht” manages to stay mysterious until the end. This makes the ending very surprising and you never see it coming.

Because the storyline is so complex, not all subplots and characters are executed the way they should.

Although I’m Dutch, I’m not a huge fan of the movies made in my country. But there are two kinds of films the Dutch know to do well: kids and young adult films, and thrillers. It’s a very solid thriller, that kept me on the edge of my seat. Well done!

Rating: 3,5 / 5