Het vonnis

Already from the start I was drawn into the movie. First with the emotional involvement due to the tragedy that happens to the main character and later in the movie because of the slowly, yet magnificent built-up tension towards the conclusion of the story. The acting is very decent too. But mostly the argumentatins used in the trial were very well motivated and the link to the reality of the contemporary problems with procedural error made this movie very good. A true recommendation.

Based on the brief two-line plot synopsis it sounds as if "Het Vonnis" is the Belgian version of "Death Wish", but a lot more accurate comparison would be that this is the Belgian "A Time to Kill", for example. The majority of the film takes place inside the courtroom where a vigilante action/crime of vengeance is being trialled, while the crime itself is only gradually shown in brief sequences. There exist hundreds of courtroom dramas, admittedly, but "Het Vonnis" is given a typical and unmistakable Belgian character due to the subplot of the so-called "judicial error"… It might be happening elsewhere in the world, surely, but I assure you that in Belgium it occurs embarrassingly frequent. Writer/director Jan Verheyen, who truly surpassed himself with this film, allegedly wrote the screenplay out of frustration after watching another saddening news bulletin of such a judicial/procedural error. These errors can be a lot of stupid things, but the most outrageous of them all is that a criminal gets released from prison – although clearly proved guilty – because the signature of the investigating magistrate is missing on some document. This is exactly what "Het Vonnis" is about. Luc Segers is what they call "a man who's got everything". He's happily married to a beautiful wife named, they have a lovely 7-year-old daughter and Luc is about to be promoted to CEO of the company he's been putting his heart and soul in for so many years. But then Luc loses everything, when a senselessly brutal robbery leaves his wife and daughter dead and himself in a long coma. It doesn't take too long before the police apprehends the culprit, but he's released again even faster due to such a judicial error. From that moment, Luc Segers' mind snaps and he can only think about revenge, against his family's murderer and against the legal system. He executes the murderer but immediately surrenders himself to the police, and promptly a gigantic media circus ensues. Segers' is a hero according to the public, but the humiliated legal system naturally can't allow for him to get away with vigilante murder. This is definitely Jan Verheyen's best and most mature film. He's often looked down upon by Belgian critics and amateur film experts, and admittedly he has made a few inferior films, but I've always been a fan of him. "Het Vonnis" is extremely well- written, full of jaw-dropping monologues and courtroom pleas and wisely – very wisely – doesn't at one point attempt to insert any comic relief or irrelevant sub plots. The climax is intriguing and keeps your mind active for long after the movie has finished. The acting performances are stellar, but I didn't expect otherwise since "Het Vonnis" stars the elite of the Belgian acting community. Most of all, I would prefer to see Jan Verheyen return to hosting horror nights on TV or touring with his cinema show called "Nacht van de Wansmaak" again, but making good movies like this one is the next best thing

The cast is picked brilliant, the acting is great and the story totally convincing. I was drawn into the movie, it grabbed me almost in a 3D fashion and it didn't let go till long after I had left the theater. Even when the movie gets to the point where it's most likely to become dull, it kept me totally fascinated due to righteous argumentation's. The movie matters for it argues convincingly that righteousness is the most important value to society. It's what a successful state characterizes. It's the social contract between citizens and state. Thusfar a citizens best chance to righteousness has been in democracies. But it's not a given fact and even vested democracies risk implosion due to injustice. The movie greatly shows the difficulty in defining principles as justice and righteousness and how defending those basic human rights can lead to totally opposite conclusions. I don't envy the jurors that didn't get a chance to go for a compromise and wander what my verdict would have been...

based on what I've seen I have to say that I think the movie in general is a little bit banalized... it left me wondering what would of happened if there was added complexity of the retributor NOT being such a perfect/idolized citizen... would he be given the same level of justice?

having said this, I haven't seen better monologues (particularly by the defense attorney and the chief prosecutor) in a while... the opportunistic justice minister's role, however short, was also brilliantly displayed... all of which rate this movie as a more than excellent courtroom drama... last but not least, there are some VERY tangible insights in a light of a different culture/view that make me want to recommend this film to anybody who wishes to travel to a different place

I was very sad to read only rather negative comments here on this movie. I did not expect too much but was truly amazed by it, the way it looks, the top acting, the story that is very modern...'Het Vonnis' has it all. The story is straightforward but gets you in the movie from the very start until the 'verdict'.

The movie is full of small new flashes with real Belgian reporters which gives a feel like it really happened.

In Belgium Jan Verheyen is considered by many people as a director who makes commercial movies and a bit laughed at for that, very sad. He admits his inspiration comes from classic American movies and this can be felt here.

If you are in 3-hour-Romanian-incest-drama's-in-black-and-white you should skip...all the others, go see it!