Brussels by Night

People change, cities too. This Belgian movie gives a good picture of Brussels during the (dark) 80'. It was cold, dark and strange. I've been living in Brussels all my life, but have to be honest I do not recognize Brussels pictured in the movie anymore. Brussels changed a lot the last 10-15 years. But if anyone is interested in experiencing the atmosphere of Brussels in that time, watch the movie and be glad that things do change. The story is quite simple, it's about a few people who spent some days together, with rising tensions and feelings, which finally ends in a rather nasty situation. A psychological drama of a time I was glad I could forget it.

This is kinda pre-mental health, when mental health wasn't really on the table, and when the issue did come up it was overplayed to some extreme. The lead character is showing pretty accurate signs you would expect to see in his behaviour patterns.

Unlike other reviewers, the end threw me. To be honest I seen it in him all along, but you just kind of ignore it, and pretend that element of his personality isn't there. The violent and suicidal tendencies etc, but when I realised what he had done I was still shocked. The shock is really because, despite him being a unlikeable character, this all comes out of left field at the end of the movie. Its the hiding in plain sight sort of thing. You knew the signs were there, but you were too naïve to realise it. As a viewer you can't help but to feel fooled, in a manner of speaking.

It reminded me a bit of British director Mike Leighs movie Naked in some respects, which came out 10 years later to much acclaim.

The movies atmosphere is BRILLIANT I can't stress enough how much of a "vibe" this movie has.

There is definitely symbolism all around the movie, I hate how I notice it but can't think of what it seems but it's there and if you'll probably get it at some point and get a divine revelation.

The characters aren't likeable but they are very interesting. I don't understand why Max does a lot of the stuff he does but it all just makes sense without making sense in my eyes.

I didn't quite catch the ending to be honest, I saw what happened but don't know if he did it, he probably did but can I be sure? If yes, why did he call? Was it just hope? But unlike other reviewers I could definitely see at least a little of it coming and was just surprised of the contents of the scene, not that it occurred.

Overall OK movie, it isn't too long either so there isn't much reason not to watch it!

Marc Didden used to be one of the most famous Belgian directors. Mind you, he is still alive but Belgian movies are rather rare and knowing that Didden only made a second movie ("Istanbul") says enough about the quantity of Belgian movies. But good I saw by coincidence tons of Belgian movies this month and "Brussels by night" happened to be the most dated. The subject is paranoia and racism.... The uncontrollable outbursts from Max (François Beukelaers) are finely acted but the second subject (racism) is based on too many clichés. They all might have been true in 1983 but they're not current (sadly enough racism is still current though) as they're too much based on cynical jokes we heard too much and that's exactly the platform of this whole movie. Being a Belgian myself, I can only tell that the title suits the film : Brussels by night, and we all know there is nothing to do.... Watching this film isn't a waste of time but it absolutely does not deserve its cultstatus.

This depressing and disturbing film starts great. The protagonist is interesting, the soundtrack superb and the overall atmosphere feels desolate. But once the plot focuses on a love triangle and not so much on that interesting protagonist, the film starts to lose itself. A pity because this could have been a great social drama / film noir. At the end we get back to the reason why this man is wondering through nighttime Brussels, but the entire middle section of the film (and the finale as well) makes him a jealous member of a ménage a troi. It is a shame, a focus on his central problem would have been much more interesting.