films seen
1
average score
2.50*
nationality
status
Alive and kicking
Movies
Adaptation of a book I never read. While the plot is pretty promising, it's the direction that ultimately fails the film. Veerle Baetens is a decent actress, but that doesn't make her a great director. The film is too basic and sticks to genre conventions a little too neatly, depriving it of any firm signature. The performances are solid, and that particular small-town Flemish vibe is present, but Baetens never reaches beyond the expected. I didn't care much for the Festen-like speech at the end (which was added for the film apparently) and the big traumatic finale lacks cinematic prowess. It's not a bad film, just a little plain and basic. Read all