This is the kind of movie you wish would be made more often today. Instead of relying on CGI and comic book type characters to carry the film, this movie places all the importance on character development and a poignant story line to maintain your interest.
And that it does very well.
The two main protagonists Tuur and Lambert, played by Maas Bronkhuyzen and Joes Brauers are best friends at one of the worst times in human history. It takes place in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation of World War II. The two school boys are inseparable and spend all of their spare time together including fighting off school bullies who pick on Lambert because of his family's collaboration with their German overlords.
This relationship continues until a new girl arrives at school, Maartje, played by Pippa Allen. Lambert befriends her almost immediately, but Tuur is reluctant to allow her to become a part of their relationship, which he sees as singularly a duo and definitely not a trio.
Gradually, Maartje wins Tuur over and before long, Tuur finds he'd rather spend his spare time with Maartje than with his long time friend. It gets to the point where he lies to Lambert about getting together him after church in order to see Maartje. Maartje reveals a secret about her true identity to Tuur that she pleads with him not to tell anyone, including Lambert. This complication leads to betrayed trust and lands Maartje in trouble with the Nazi sympathizers, for which Lambert receives the blame, thus destroying a once best friend relationship and a new budding young romantic one.
The film concludes with all the poignancy one should expect from a well written, well developed story line, that has war as its central theme coming between young men and women who at any other time would enjoy long lasting and special friendships.
There is no violence, no nudity and no profanity. In short, it is a wonderful film with timeless themes for all ages and well worth the watch.
And that it does very well.
The two main protagonists Tuur and Lambert, played by Maas Bronkhuyzen and Joes Brauers are best friends at one of the worst times in human history. It takes place in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation of World War II. The two school boys are inseparable and spend all of their spare time together including fighting off school bullies who pick on Lambert because of his family's collaboration with their German overlords.
This relationship continues until a new girl arrives at school, Maartje, played by Pippa Allen. Lambert befriends her almost immediately, but Tuur is reluctant to allow her to become a part of their relationship, which he sees as singularly a duo and definitely not a trio.
Gradually, Maartje wins Tuur over and before long, Tuur finds he'd rather spend his spare time with Maartje than with his long time friend. It gets to the point where he lies to Lambert about getting together him after church in order to see Maartje. Maartje reveals a secret about her true identity to Tuur that she pleads with him not to tell anyone, including Lambert. This complication leads to betrayed trust and lands Maartje in trouble with the Nazi sympathizers, for which Lambert receives the blame, thus destroying a once best friend relationship and a new budding young romantic one.
The film concludes with all the poignancy one should expect from a well written, well developed story line, that has war as its central theme coming between young men and women who at any other time would enjoy long lasting and special friendships.
There is no violence, no nudity and no profanity. In short, it is a wonderful film with timeless themes for all ages and well worth the watch.