Surprisingly dull film from Paul Verhoeven

Rating: 5/10 (31 May 2007)

I have always associated a certain style and a sense of the unexpected from Verhoeven. "Fourth Man" and "Basic Instinct" are testaments to his powers as a director and his unique point of view of the world. "Black Book" disappoints mightily in all respects. It is an ordinary story more suited for a television series that goes on and on and on, and which ends with a (sort of) Hollywood ending. The actors walk through the film with unconvincing performances (Think of how much more interesting Sebastian Koch was in "Lives of Others") and the camera does not help create any special atmosphere. This is a about a feisty Jewish girl in 1944 Holland who survives by her wits, chutzpa and the allure of her body. This has been done many times before and much more effectively and interestingly. Why bother doing it again- badly?