Carice Van Houten comes in with a performance that will leave a mark this and any other year. Her work in "Black Book" succeeds because this actress is capable of conveying a variety of emotions that range from tenderness to incredulity, anger to immense sadness. Her heroine in "Black Book" is not a character that grows because of the special circumstances that she must confront, but she a resourceful survivor who must do what is necessary to help herself and others. She is also incredibly lucky.
Rachel lived in Holland and from early on we learn she is willing to do what is necessary to achieve her goals. If this means becoming a spy and infiltrating the very core of the Gestapo, she does it. Amazingly, she encounters a kindred soul in the middle of this hell, and she eventually learns that the lines of good and evil blur at some point.
The film's production is impeccable, and it moves very well, considering how much is packed in its nearly 2:30 hours. It's got a circular structure, and although we know its resolution, we can't help being drawn by its thrilling narrative and very charismatic star. The rest of the cast supports Ms. Houten very well, each one playing his/her respective part with conviction.
When I saw the film, I was particularly impressed by the fact that it never lags, the way most American films do nowadays. Its structure is very simple and straightforward, but it weaves the themes of horror, bravery, and survival into a very exciting movie. The assured direction of Mr. Verhoeven succeeds because he seems to understand and respect his sources. This time, he leaves out some of the reverence that bogs down many of these period films. This time we are shown a side of WWII that rarely makes it to the screen: the underground fighters that risked their lives to lessen the impact of the evil forces in Europe.
Overall, the film will touch you and teach you how we should learn from the past, look at ourselves and see how life is more complex than just black and white.
Rachel lived in Holland and from early on we learn she is willing to do what is necessary to achieve her goals. If this means becoming a spy and infiltrating the very core of the Gestapo, she does it. Amazingly, she encounters a kindred soul in the middle of this hell, and she eventually learns that the lines of good and evil blur at some point.
The film's production is impeccable, and it moves very well, considering how much is packed in its nearly 2:30 hours. It's got a circular structure, and although we know its resolution, we can't help being drawn by its thrilling narrative and very charismatic star. The rest of the cast supports Ms. Houten very well, each one playing his/her respective part with conviction.
When I saw the film, I was particularly impressed by the fact that it never lags, the way most American films do nowadays. Its structure is very simple and straightforward, but it weaves the themes of horror, bravery, and survival into a very exciting movie. The assured direction of Mr. Verhoeven succeeds because he seems to understand and respect his sources. This time, he leaves out some of the reverence that bogs down many of these period films. This time we are shown a side of WWII that rarely makes it to the screen: the underground fighters that risked their lives to lessen the impact of the evil forces in Europe.
Overall, the film will touch you and teach you how we should learn from the past, look at ourselves and see how life is more complex than just black and white.