De marathon

Looking at all the Dutch made for the big screen, I think this is really a good film! Maybe not Hollywood-level.

Great story... Motivation... Never quit! Whole movie seems like real story!

If you want to know about Dutch culture, watch this movie. It depicts every aspect of social life and more. Of course, it's all a bit over the top. But the basics are very accurate.

Most accents are spot on, and some words are indeed gems. Like 'fruitschuitje', saying that word in a Rotterdam accent is like a little poem. And the scene where the Marathon guys had to wait for the Amsterdam mover to unload dozens of boxes was also spot on. It is the essence and difference between these two cities; Rotterdam is very energetic - it's all about getting things done. Amsterdam is very laid back - work isn't that important.

There are about a million other small details that are so very true about the way things are in the circles depicted. The camaraderie, the swearing (another review thought it wasn't appropriate and maybe it isn't, but it's very realistic), the food, the determination, and the taking care of each other.

But the best part was the jokes. I laughed so hard! Not very PC (not at all) and not for the faint of heart, but my goodness, there were some brilliant jokes there. Which is another thing that is so realistic. The quick wit of the characters; they have a sharp eye and a sharp tongue.

The acting is also absolutely exceptional. The story doesn't call for characters with many layers, but we get to know the marathon men quite well. We see their vulnerabilities and their struggles. But foremost, we see their 'cold hands, warm heart'. And that's what makes this film irresistible.

This is a tale of hope and perseverance, with moving and still humorous parts from time to time. It shows the straightforward, human character of ordinary people and succeeds in arousing sympathy for them, despite their regular coarse behavior and talk. Nevertheless, I have some objections. I liked the story and make my compliments to the excellent playing skills of all the main actors and actresses, let me make my point clear here. But I'm strongly annoyed by the obligatory swearing and other decadent expressions that apparently must be inalienable to most Dutch movies, from the late sixties on. Seems like filmmakers always need to proof themselves this way, as if they've got stuck in their puberty. It's such a stultifying effect, especially on our youths that take this for example. And the perpetual downgrading of everything religious from our own soil is all equally imposed; are the Dutch so frustrated and childishly unable to discover the positive side of the church? Why this inevitable mockery and cheap scoring on things holy to others? Mind you, I myself are not religious (that is, not in the common way) and I even unsubscribed from the church I was born into. But I deeply respect all those who make more of their lives by believing in a higher goal, and I strongly disapprove the caricaturing of such people. Moreover, I get bored with it because it's such a trodden path by now in our movies and tele- productions. Come on, can't you do better than that?

The are many things that can influence our lives but nothing seems to be more powerful than the certainty of our imminent death.

"De Marathon" is a beautiful portrait of friendship and determination, where important choices and decisions are simply necessary in order to move on. Our lives are full of surprises and keeping the spirit alive through thick and thin is not for the faint-hearted. We laugh and we cry, we fight to win and sometimes we lose. The road may be long and believing in who you are and what you can do if your strongest ally. But victory is very relative and if your efforts can somehow be used as a form of inspiration, than you have already succeeded. Nice movie.