100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 146: Schone Handen

Director: Tjebbo Penning
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 108 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Jeroen van Koningsbrugge, Thekla Reuten, Angela Schijf, Camilla Siegertsz, Sol Vinken, Teun Kuilboer, Bart Klever, Marcel Faber, Nino den Brave, Frederik Brom, Poal Cairo, Jenne Decleir, Nino den Brave, Bente Fokkens, Cees Geel, Tjebbo Gerritsma, Trudy de Jong, Han Oldigs

Description: A drug lord's wife (Thekla Reuten) faces a crisis of loyalty when her husband's (Jeroen van Koningsbrugge) cutthroat dealings compel her to flee with their young children.

Review: Jeroen van Koningsbrugge is a Dutch actor and comedian. But he has been doing more serious roles for a while. They say there is a thin line between comedy and drama. But this can easily go wrong. Van Koningsbrugge doesn’t always convince as drug lord.
Eddie deals in drugs. His wife knows, but tries to ignore it Their children think their father runs an honest business. When a good friend is killed, wife Sylvia finds it harder and harder to deal with their lifestyle. It is also harder for her to keep her kids away from the mess Eddie leaves behind. But Eddie has a big impact on Sylvia, becase she has one big dream. Running her own beach club. With the promise, Eddie manages to calm his wife. But it doesn’t take long for Sylvia to realize it’s better to get away from Eddie.
Like I stated before, Jeroen van Koningsbrugge doesn’t always convince as Eddie. It’s Thekla Reuten that steals the show. Her performance is so strong and you feel for her. She makes you care.
As a Dutch woman, I don’t always like the movies that are made here. “Schone Handen” is an okay crime thriller.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

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