Lek

This is a good movie. The built-up tension is very exciting. The acting is good, especially by Victor Low. But as a Dutch person, it's also more exciting because you can really recognize the way people behave and the situations that arise. Because it all looks and sounds so familiar, you just identify with it more. It's strange because you see so many of these dangerous and scary situations being performed in English but not in Dutch. So when you see it in a familiar environment and in Dutch, it's just more creepy. But also a good movie in itself.

Eddy ( Cas Jansen) a young policeman is happily partnered with Ria (Ricky Koole). They seek advice from Family Planning in the hope that they may produce a baby in the very near future. Advice is given with surprising frankness. Eddy's job demands so much night work that interferes with his personal life and the dangerous nature of his work adds further difficulties to their relationship.

Young Eddy of short stature is referred to by his buddies as "Tom Thumb on Viagra". This amusing remark is one of the few moments of relief in this intense drama. The opening torture scene exemplifies the types of characters Eddy is forced to face in his police work.

Eddy is a likeable character and projects a genuine feeling of love and affection towards Ria. Unfortunately, a chance meeting with Jack an acquaintance of his infant years draws him into a web of underworld characters dealing in contraband drugs. They say that crime does not pay, but it seems that Jack has all the things in life that Eddy can only dream about.

The film requires a good deal of concentration because many of the bearded thugs look similar. The drama is well-paced and Jack's empty and prolonged fits of laughter are both threatening and spine-chilling.

Eddy gets to drive a fast Lamborghini Diablo fulfilling one of his boyhood dreams and a baby is delivered in a strange and unexpected way. Great stuff.

To be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Dutch films in my live.

Here in Holland, it appears like Dutch films aren't very appreciated. They tend to be long, symbolic and boring. None of these characteristics apply to this new movie though! It's a police thriller about a freshman police guy (Cas Jansen) who gets involved in a 'leak' affair and has no idea how to get out of this. No real original story here, but it is enjoyable. I found the supporting actors more interesting. Cas' criminal friend 'Sjakie' is played remarkably well and Cas' partner, Thomas Acda, gives the film a touch of humor. All in all, I enjoyed this movie a lot although it doesn't compare to Hollywood-counterparts, but can you ask this from a Dutch

The film is based on a book about corruption in the Amsterdam police department by an ex-detective. Thus showing that reality is often more crazy than what we imagine.

It all starts innocently enough when police officer Eddy is asked to get in touch with his childhood friend Jack, who is now on the other side of the law. But everything soon spins out of control.

Director Jean van de Velde has a tight grip on the story. He is helped by a good script that manages to bring a few nice twists to a well-known formula. He also has a good cast. Especially Ton Kas as sinister gangster boss and Victor Löw as gangster with strong paternal feelings.

I'm not a fan of Dutch movies. This one is different. The actors actually act well and I wasn't bored one single minute. Finally not a dumb or "empty" (no good story line whatsoever) film. Bravo!