Very strong film with classy acting performances and action to keep your attention

Rating: 10/10 (6 February 2007)

Although Paul Verhoeven became somewhat discredited in his later years in Hollywood, his work has always contained a touch - or more - of irony. In some cases this seemingly extended to attempting reverse psychology on Republican supporters - as in Starship Troopers and Robo Cop. Of course, it didn't work.
So for his return to the Netherlands, this film was a surprise. Its lasting sensation is one of melancholy: how can a species which creates such beauty and love also create so much sadness and horror? Irony is in there, yes. But it's used with a much more delicate touch as a tool to search for something deeper.
Through tracing the best and worst of what people can do in a period in which everything is apparently senseless, Paul V and his scriptwriter are trying to look for the core of what it to be human. For that, I think it is a good film. This, not Babel, should be a candidate for the Best Film Academy Award - at least best foreign language film.
The acting is strong, too. In particular the heroine is not only breathtaking in her beauty and charm, she has also put together what I believe is one of the best acting performances I have seen for a long, long time. No artificially puckered brow, no 'actoooor' persona, just straight communication of emotion and more. The other players are also solid - all the main Dutch and German characters are well played, with particular credit going to the lawyer - a wonderfully ambiguous performance.
It works on many levels, too. For the more superficially inclined there is plenty of (well shot) action, pulling few punches. There is also plenty of intrigue for whodunnit lovers. And of course, there are some very attractive actors who clearly enjoy expressing their sensuality on (and I gather, off) screen.