Jan Blokker Movies
- 1995
In this Dutch drama, a former vaudevillian tries one last time to find the dignity of a legitimate role. Instead he finds himself faced with a past he tried hard to bury. It is base upon a 1982 novel by Harry Mulisch. Willem, a 78-year old man, comes from a long line of illustrious stage actors. But unlike them, he was never able to rise beyond the level of vaudeville performer. This has caused him tremendous pain. His break finally comes after he is offered the part of an aging classical actor who kills his male co-star/lover before he goes on to play Prospero in The Tempest. He takes the role, and the resulting heat from his castmates who change when he demonstrates real talent. He has major problems though. He butts heads with the director. He becomes confused when a younger actress makes untoward advances. Finally he has trouble playing a homosexual. The strain causes him to suffer disturbing flashbacks about his dysfunctional family life and his mother's death. The weight of the memories causes him to collapse during the final rehearsal. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1992
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, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gijs Scholten van Ashat, Renée Soutendijk, (more)
- 1986
A well-wrought sequel to the popular Schatjes, Mama Is Boos! draws on the same styles and themes that inspired the success of the earlier comedy. The all-out war between the parents and their children in Schatjes has become an all-out war declared by Danny Gisberts (Geert de Jong) against her two-timing, fickle husband John (Peter Faber). She throws objects as well as tantrums, is not above kidnapping her kids, and has a final, glorious say about what she thinks of him at a NATO gathering featuring her husband. NATO's stage entertainment is cleverly sub-par, but that cannot be said for this comedy, which is fast-paced and fun. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Faber, Geert de Jong, (more)
- 1968
This tedious feature concerns a woman who disguises herself as a man to avoid prosecution for the murder of her lover 15 years ago. She is the last living member of a wealthy family from Vienna, and she has spent the years after the murder traveling with her female servant Victorine. Her tours of Europe have provided her with an anonymous cloak that allows her freedom of movement but little solace. Nearing 40, the woman/man suffers from guilt, weariness and a life unfulfilled as she contemplates suicide as the only way out of her dilemma in this unconventional tragedy. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- 1966
Wessel Franken (Paolo Graziosi) is a writer who leaves his wife and work behind for a vacation in sunny Cote D'Azur. When he discovers his elderly host Max (Walter Kous) is having a homosexual affair with young Danny (Joop Van Hulzen), he flees to Rome for a brief fling with Karen (Kittie Courbois). Wessel soon is lonely for his wife Leonie (Asta Weyne) and longs to return to the home he previously couldn't wait to leave behind. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kitty Courbois, Paolo Graziosi, (more)
- 1960
Set in the late 1950s when children tended to disregard their parents' advice more than in the past, this tragi-comedy takes place in Amsterdam on December 5th, the feast of St. Nicholas in the Netherlands. On that holiday, adults behave like children (intentionally) and in this story, three families get together to celebrate the feast. It is a time to bridge the generation gap and reach out past barriers otherwise rigidly in place, and the adults make every effort as they mix in with the children. This film by distinguished Dutch director Fons Rademakers won the Silver Bear award at the 1961 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Guus Oster
- 1958
This unpretentious Dutch film was the handiwork of Bert Haanstra, Holland's foremost postwar director. As Haanstra's first feature-length effort (he'd built his reputation on a series of shorts dealing with famous Flemish painters), Fanfare displays no awkwardness with its extended length. The story takes place in the tiny village of Giethorn, where two amateur brass bands vie for one government grant. The film's satire of small-town pretentiousness is leavened somewhat by a romance involving a saucy lass and the village's only policeman. Fanfare was completed with the help and moral support of British director Alexander Mackendrick, who'd previously helmed such similarly provincial comedies as Whisky Galore and The Maggie. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Albert Mol, Bernard Droog, (more)
