Wolf

Just got back from the cinema and felt a strong urge to review this movie.

It's successful predecessor 'RABAT', also produced by HABBEKRATS, combined with the rather interesting trailer are what made me curious about this movie.

I can't say I stepped into it without expectations, quite the opposite, as the trailer leaves you no option really:) But WOLF lived up to every expectations I had and more.

Everything from how precisely Dutch street life is depicted, choice of actors, to story-line, realness & rawness, are what make this movie an absolute must see. It manages to captivate the observer from start to end without a doubt.

For many it will create insights into a world that has remained unknown to them & for some it will be a movie close to their heart, close to their own lives & experiences. Either way, you will surely not be disappointed.

I believe it's save to state that HABBEKRATS has proved to be more than a one-hit wonder and they are here to stay.

As for me, I proudly & warmly welcome any Dutch production of this caliber!

Wolf follows a young kickboxer named Maj as he drifts into the criminal underworld ran by the Turkish mob. Wolf is a film jammed pack with genres. Sports Drama. Crime Drama. Family Drama. Take your pick, this film has it all. While that seems ambitious for one film, Wolf pulls it off with talent both on screen and behind the scenes. Shown in black and white, Wolf starts with Maj and his best friend stealing mopeds from a shop. A scene that starts right off the bat and let's you know what kind of film you're in for. Now, while the film's plot is clichè, Wolf makes up for its familiar path with a grand array of thoughtful performances and provocative subtext. Marwan Kenzari is perfect in the role of Maj. He's a brooding and vicious man played with a cold and brisk demeanor. Kenzari's skills are able to keep us going from start to finish as we see Raj's ups and downs with the utmost honesty. Despite these qualities, Wolf often drowns itself with repetitive scenes, including ones in which Maj and his terminally ill brother share brotherly bonding time. While these scenes are well acted and paced, by the end of the film, you're left with the feeling that it gave nothing to the story except drag it out. With a bloated runtime of barely over two hours, you begin to feel the effects of it in the middle of the film but quickly tries to get back on track with the more interesting plot of the mob and Maj's descent into his own personal hell. Wolf is very much so a character study of a violent man with a heart of gold. While he is no Carlito Brigante or Michael Corleone, Maj is a more disturbed individual with a dark past and family life that is more than estranged and borders on dysfunctional. The film features some brutal and abrupt scenes of violence that are very realistic and beautifully choreographed, despite some of them feeling as though director Jim Taihuttu went out of his way to shock us. Instead of shocking, some feel a bit drawn out and intended to add more character to Maj but instead makes the audience feel less sympathetic with his situation. There are great qualities to Wolf but some moments of greatness do not entirely forgive some of the weaker moments. One of which featuring Maj's old girlfriend jumping from one gangster to the next, which proves to be a bit more costly than Maj originally intends it to be. Again, another subplot that could have been cut down just a bit. Overall, Wolf is entertaining and features moments of sheer brilliance but the familiar and sometimes bloated story keeps it from achieving pure greatness.

Unfortunately I missed this movie in the cinema, but just bought the DVD and I am glad I did. I loved Rabat and was curious to find out if this movie was as good. It was, even better in my eyes. Very raw and rough storyline and still you are drawn into the story. Mostly thanks to Marwan Kenzari who plays his character with an intensity in both violent scenes as in the more moving scenes. Violence in this movie is just getting worse and worse....and you can see it happen and still you are shocked when it escalates. Beautifully shot in black and white. Fantastic crew of actors. Very credible in dialogs. Great art direction, simple and very convincing. Loved it, highly recommended. I can not wait for this team's new production.

Since I watched much films in the last past 15 years, I can say, there are not much really good movies of this kind. There is nothing you cant agree with. You can feel with the main character. There is nothing overdriven, just reality in every detail. Hope we will see more of this kind from the director.

The movie is made by the amazing Habbekrats with the amazing cast. Thecamera-work and directing is insanely good with the black/white HD is it even stronger then expected. Storywise isn't it something we saw before, it really strong. While watching the movie you see the story about a guy in Utrecht. He had a difficult youth and being in a program to get back on track he finds way to get more money. With his friends he joins up and finding the way. He is a kick boxer and is getting picked up by a manager who wants the best for him. While the story goes on he is getting back in his old habits while trying to take care of his family.