Stunning lack of tension

Rating: 1/10 (4 August 2007)

I already knew Paul Verhoeven is not the greatest of directors, but was still curious about this 'most expensive Dutch movie ever'. The film disappoints from the first moment on. One doesn't have the feeling to be back in the 1940's: unlike Schindler's List, Blackbook lacks the right atmosphere and tension. Although the actors wear the right clothes, I felt like watching 2006 scenes - not war scenes. Even if there is serious action, like shootouts, bombardments or German soldiers attacking, there is a stunning lack of tension. Maybe the camera work has to do with it: amateurish and with a strong low budget feeling. Verhoeven was either to lazy or is just too incompetent to think about how to film a scene in a proper way. The style of camera work is cheap, outdated and boring. Photography is clumsy and uninteresting. To be honest, it was difficult to watch this film to the end. I feel ashamed to be Dutch, since there are people that call Paul Verhoeven the greatest of Dutch directors. And I'm afraid they are actually right...