RELEASE: 2007; GENERE: Science-Fiction/Fantasy; RUN-TIME: 2 hrs, 26 mins RATED: Rated: R:
SYNOPSIS: Based upon true events, the story is set during the final days of World War II in Holland, and follows a Jewish singer named Rachel Stein (played by Carice Van Houten). Rachel attempts to avoid the Nazis and remains in quiet hiding until her family is brutally slain, causing her to join up with a resistance movement. On a subsequent undercover mission, Rachel crosses paths with a smitten German general named Ludwig Muntze (Sebastian Koch), with whom Rachel begins a relationship in order to feed vital information back to her colleagues in the resistance. But as the action and bloodshed escalate, Rachel realizes that she has genuine feelings for Muntze, and soon she is in enormous danger. Filled with intrigue and betrayal, it makes for an intense and believable story.
REVIEW: I generally dislike movies with subtitles, however I must admit that this was probably the best movie I ever seen with subtitles. I was impressed by both the overall quality of the film photography as well as how easy it was to read the subtitles. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, who also produced ROBOCOP, BASIC INSTINCT, and STARSHIP TROOPERS, this film takes many intriguing twists and turns during its 145 minutes. It should be noted that BLACK BOOK commanded the largest budget of any film to be produced in Holland, and it shows. Explosions litter the screen, plenty of car chases ensue, and wince-inducing injuries and deaths propel the action. In addition, he isn't afraid to criticize his fellow countrymen and inserts a fascinating subtext about the actions of the resistance fighters, asking some uncomfortable questions about the similarities between their behavior and that of the Nazis. Van Houten (as Rachel Stein, the lead charactor) lights up the screen throughout and is surely destined for bigger things. Verhoeven has pointed out in subsequent interviews that Rachel is a composite character who encompasses the merged experiences of many real people from the era. We both gave it [4-Stars].
SYNOPSIS: Based upon true events, the story is set during the final days of World War II in Holland, and follows a Jewish singer named Rachel Stein (played by Carice Van Houten). Rachel attempts to avoid the Nazis and remains in quiet hiding until her family is brutally slain, causing her to join up with a resistance movement. On a subsequent undercover mission, Rachel crosses paths with a smitten German general named Ludwig Muntze (Sebastian Koch), with whom Rachel begins a relationship in order to feed vital information back to her colleagues in the resistance. But as the action and bloodshed escalate, Rachel realizes that she has genuine feelings for Muntze, and soon she is in enormous danger. Filled with intrigue and betrayal, it makes for an intense and believable story. REVIEW: I generally dislike movies with subtitles, however I must admit that this was probably the best movie I ever seen with subtitles. I was impressed by both the overall quality of the film photography as well as how easy it was to read the subtitles. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, who also produced ROBOCOP, BASIC INSTINCT, and STARSHIP TROOPERS, this film takes many intriguing twists and turns during its 145 minutes. It should be noted that BLACK BOOK commanded the largest budget of any film to be produced in Holland, and it shows. Explosions litter the screen, plenty of car chases ensue, and wince-inducing injuries and deaths propel the action. In addition, he isn't afraid to criticize his fellow countrymen and inserts a fascinating subtext about the actions of the resistance fighters, asking some uncomfortable questions about the similarities between their behavior and that of the Nazis. Van Houten (as Rachel Stein, the lead charactor) lights up the screen throughout and is surely destined for bigger things. Verhoeven has pointed out in subsequent interviews that Rachel is a composite character who encompasses the merged experiences of many real people from the era. We both gave it [4-Stars].
No comments:
Post a Comment