This is a beautiful movie that deals with addiction (morphine-abuse and alcoholism) and existential crisis in the form of a small-town family Physician ('Dr. Pulder') who discovers that his life has been floating by without him noticing anything of the 'real' life, or other, exciting worlds that can be seen or experienced.
Story
Due to the space restraints I have omitted the summary of the story, but I will add it in the message-board for this movie.
Review
In a sense this is a 'Leaving Las Vegas' in the Dutch countryside, although not as grim or brutal. Yet, the theme of someone drinking himself to death, or in this case, finishing it off with an overdose, stays the same. It can also be seen as an expose about addiction in the higher class. The drug that is abused here is, relatively, not often seen in movies. However, morphine addiction has traditionally been higher among members of the medical class, maybe since they have such easy access to the substance and know how to uphold the signs of a steady life, while being addicted under the surface. Alcoholism, though, is something that occurs at every level of society and it is shown here in all its ugliness and destructiveness, yet we are spared the vomiting scenes, or violence that accompanied the LLV story. Still it is a powerful imaginary that captures the essence of alcoholism: sitting, doing nothing, and drinking your life away, very well.
The movie also captures the social differences that existed in the times that the movie was shot between the higher class and the ordinary or common citizen. While, the medical establishment, in the form of Dr Pulder and Hans, the morphine addicted surgeon, uses difficult words and often speaks in prosaic sentences (a polished and overly polite form of Dutch, as one would read in an old novel) the real life crops up in the form of a local farmer, or a butcher using vernacular language. It does this well, and together with the scenes in which the doctor's wife and son (of which I can't help to think whether he hasn't something better to do, and join the youth-movement of sex, drugs and rock and roll that was common in the Dutch society of the Seventies) try to talk him into behaving 'normal' again ,shows how different classes tragically try to hold upon their position in society.
The acting is superb. The doctors strange journey, and his mannerisms are well articulated and the alcoholic afternoons are played with enthusiasm and verve. One would not be able to differentiate between real drunks and that what is played on the screen. Even a scene in a Belgian restaurant, that slightly borders on the absurd or slap-stick is pulled off with an easiness that makes it nice to watch. A lesser actor could have ruined that scene.
Finally, the cinematic qualities are good. The pacing is slow, especially in the beginning, as was usual in those times, but this doesn't stop you from watching. Shots are well done, the opening scene in which we arrive by boat in the little harbor, is a gem to watch if you like Dutch 16th century architecture and style and the little effects (shots of curtains, water flowing, the poppy seeds, Vodka bottles) are pleasant to watch and stay in your memory.
It's a shame this movie hasn't had any English subtitles added with the DVD version, since I feel it would be an interesting movie to see for an international audience. This movie is just as good, if not better than other Dutch movies, that have received prizes and critical acclaim. The movie, also, can withstand the passing of time much better than a lot of other Dutch movies that were made in the same era.
If you happen to understand Dutch, you should see this movie and if you don't understand Dutch you should still put it on your to-watch list and wait till you find a person that can interpret the film for you.
Story
Due to the space restraints I have omitted the summary of the story, but I will add it in the message-board for this movie.
Review
In a sense this is a 'Leaving Las Vegas' in the Dutch countryside, although not as grim or brutal. Yet, the theme of someone drinking himself to death, or in this case, finishing it off with an overdose, stays the same. It can also be seen as an expose about addiction in the higher class. The drug that is abused here is, relatively, not often seen in movies. However, morphine addiction has traditionally been higher among members of the medical class, maybe since they have such easy access to the substance and know how to uphold the signs of a steady life, while being addicted under the surface. Alcoholism, though, is something that occurs at every level of society and it is shown here in all its ugliness and destructiveness, yet we are spared the vomiting scenes, or violence that accompanied the LLV story. Still it is a powerful imaginary that captures the essence of alcoholism: sitting, doing nothing, and drinking your life away, very well.
The movie also captures the social differences that existed in the times that the movie was shot between the higher class and the ordinary or common citizen. While, the medical establishment, in the form of Dr Pulder and Hans, the morphine addicted surgeon, uses difficult words and often speaks in prosaic sentences (a polished and overly polite form of Dutch, as one would read in an old novel) the real life crops up in the form of a local farmer, or a butcher using vernacular language. It does this well, and together with the scenes in which the doctor's wife and son (of which I can't help to think whether he hasn't something better to do, and join the youth-movement of sex, drugs and rock and roll that was common in the Dutch society of the Seventies) try to talk him into behaving 'normal' again ,shows how different classes tragically try to hold upon their position in society.
The acting is superb. The doctors strange journey, and his mannerisms are well articulated and the alcoholic afternoons are played with enthusiasm and verve. One would not be able to differentiate between real drunks and that what is played on the screen. Even a scene in a Belgian restaurant, that slightly borders on the absurd or slap-stick is pulled off with an easiness that makes it nice to watch. A lesser actor could have ruined that scene.
Finally, the cinematic qualities are good. The pacing is slow, especially in the beginning, as was usual in those times, but this doesn't stop you from watching. Shots are well done, the opening scene in which we arrive by boat in the little harbor, is a gem to watch if you like Dutch 16th century architecture and style and the little effects (shots of curtains, water flowing, the poppy seeds, Vodka bottles) are pleasant to watch and stay in your memory.
It's a shame this movie hasn't had any English subtitles added with the DVD version, since I feel it would be an interesting movie to see for an international audience. This movie is just as good, if not better than other Dutch movies, that have received prizes and critical acclaim. The movie, also, can withstand the passing of time much better than a lot of other Dutch movies that were made in the same era.
If you happen to understand Dutch, you should see this movie and if you don't understand Dutch you should still put it on your to-watch list and wait till you find a person that can interpret the film for you.