Marieke Heebink Movies

In this Dutch drama a couple in their thirties struggles as they are torn between their deep love for each other and the tremendous conflicts between them. It is set in an area of Amsterdam, down by the docks, filled with counter-cultural people. Lou, a bit of a hippy, is a singer and political activist. Her lover Bob, is a conservative lawyer who works in a firm that does not endorse activities such as Lou's. They constantly, quietly disagree. He wants children; she doesn't. He wants her to fix up her houseboat; she likes it rundown and funky. When a project to fix up the docks begins, the tensions between the couple increase dramatically. Bob throws himself into his work while Lou becomes increasingly insecure as her neighborhood is slowly destroyed. Also adding stress to her life is the recent drowning of a refugee friend who died escaping the police, and the impending death of her HIV positive-singing partner. Her surprise pregnancy only exacerbates their problems. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

It seems that misdeeds by inhabitants of the Dutch provinces make for believable stories, whether they are mysteries by Willem van de Wettering, or psychological thrillers by Simon Vestdijk, who wrote the book this film is based on. In the story, set in the 1950s, Hendrik Grond (Gijs Scholten van Aschat) has a good law practice, and a happy marriage which has produced a son. He is so contented that his world is completely shattered when, undetected, he catches his wife in bed with his law firm's senior partner. In fact, he has become quietly unhinged, and he arranges a series of "accidents" to ensure his revenge - becoming involved in the local underworld in the process. Will he succeed in committing a series of "perfect" crimes, or will the police inspector (Johan Simons) investigating these incidents get wise? ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide