EuroWood

Rating: 6/10 (21 September 2007)

Decadently indulgent when romanticizing it's entertainment factor, Paul Verhoeven comes back from the abyss to present this mini-epic, showcasing an action-packed, erotically-charged, plot-twisting ride packaged as an adult spy thriller, taking place during the holocaust in Holland. As escapist entertainment the film should work wonders, especially for the adult female demographic that should particularly appreciate an intricate spy-thriller fused with a heated romanticism. Anyone trying to take this elaborate (for dutch standards) production for more then the classy popcorn muncher it is may have a hard time holding back the laughs however. In a demanding lead, Carice van Houten certainly does not bomb, though definitely lacks the charisma and depth to portray the elaborate characterization as it was written. Instead, (as the wise pairing of Verhoeven would suggest) Black Book becomes premier fluff; the rare semi-classy, though devoid of sincerity, mainstream entertainment which can be a guilty pleasure even for some film cynics. Of course such well constructed glossiness would be imported, despite America's death-grip on the form.