MikePadgett.com / Reviews / Film / Zwartboek (Black Book)

Zwartboek (Black Book)

— Black is back: a welcome return to form for Verhoeven.”

Carice Van Houten and Derek De Lint ignore a bouncy hearse
  • Director: Paul Verhoeven
  • Netherlands, 2006
  • 3 stars out of 5

With the turbulent Hollywood years behind him, Verhoeven is back in Europe and the opening salvo is a freshly energetic epic that firmly suggests Amsterdam’s finest has rediscovered his mojo.

Ironic then that the only blot in this particular black book is Verhoeven’s oldest trick: a sudden acceleration in the third act, which leaves us as breathless and confused as the indomitable heroine.

Fortunately, Zwartboek is visually eloquent and finely acted, especially by Carice Van Houten as Ellis. Comparisons with Soldier of Orange are inevitable and with a couple of new Dutch projects already in the pipeline, I for one am sighing with relief at Verhoeven’s return to form.

Originally published: January 26th, 2007 in Film

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