Although I had seen Paul Verhoeven's first two films, Business is Business (Any Special Way) and Turkish Delight (Sensualist), the latter with a young Rutger Hauer, I had never seen this. Put off perhaps by the notorious male rape scene, or the film's length, the fact it featured several scenes of motocross or even the title. Actually, I discover that the title translates to splashes so perhaps a double meaning that doesn't quite work in English. In any event, now seen and very much appreciated, this coming of age (mainly in Rotterdam) film is courageous, explicit, fast moving and colourful but very hard hitting. Along its merry path of loves and races won and lost we encounter much violence; gang, individual and family based as well as some of the boldest yet non exploitative sexual moments seen on film. However dismissive and cool (yes, there is a nod to Saturday Night Fever - or is it a raised finger!) the characters here appear, they are so well drawn that we are able to discern the slightest nuance and take nothing for granted. Even the vaguely optimistic ending seems questionable and we are never rid of the deeply depressing element here of a society in flux as the 70s end and the big hair, big money 80s rushes in.
Review of Spetters
