Two hours, twenty minutes well spent... especially if you're one of the Oscar Judges

Rating: 8/10 (24 November 2007)

Zwartboek, among its many shining successes, does an excellent job of mixing conventional Hollywood film elements with a European, more specifically Dutch, identity. Nothing is cut and dry in this movie, everyone has blood on their hands, and everyone's motive's are believable even when leaning towards the psychotic, as would be the case with Mentze's Nazi rival and also the "good" doctor. The performances are all around excellent, with no exceptions or poor casting. Though I don't speak the languages used in the film (except for the smattering of English dialog) the subtitles were nuanced and hinted at what must be a first rate native script. The great conclusion left me sad, happy and everything in between, deftly reinforcing the relevance of WWII's aftermath and the fluidity of conflict that has eventually lead to many of today's headlines. Zwartboek is two hours, twenty minutes well spent... especially if you're one of the Oscar Judges.