Het vonnis

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!

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...

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 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

As a fan of court case movies I really liked the movie. Very well made and told as well as realistic. It maintains the tension until the end and at the same time it is entertaining.

You will have to go through the bitter pill first, then the movie is very interesting.

What I didn't like very much is the beginning, the situation is the most dangerous, but I would have left this type of store immediately just seeing all the garbage on the ground. But.... It is another case of... what would you do? It's very easy to give an opinion from the sofa at home, right?

This particular case makes you feel the frustration of this father in your soul. The rights we have when politics fails are not much, and... be careful!! How you defend yourself against a thief in your own home?.. it can land us in jail, what do we do? We let him steal and we don't defend ourselves if we are in danger?

The judge is absolutely pathetic, and I would have liked to see his reaction if the tragedy had happened to him.

The bureaucracy makes a mistake and all of us have to pay for it?!! And also releasing the criminals, Well, yes, that is exactly what is happening, and the facts are there. And very real!

The movie has a sad atmosphere all the time, there is nothing to laugh about in this one, although it does not detract from the fantastic actors!!

The little humanity of the Belgians, in this case, is pathetic, not even the coworkers want to talk to you? The coldness of some people is incredible.

I wanted to name it because it is something that always fills me with frustration in many films in general, the lack of communication. And in real life, many only communicate with their mobile phones, this planet is being built with hearts of ice.

If you like movies well made and exciting until the end, don't miss it.