Dochters (2025)

A decent film about a woman who wants to run a marathon with her daughters after her husband's death. An entertaining film with a typically Dutch feel, it's not overly complex. The family and relationship situations of the three daughters are entertainingly developed and quite funny in places. The cast also does a great job.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Regarding *De Beentjes van Sint-Hildegard*, I previously wrote that Nijenhuis is quite capable of directing. That is evident here as well. It is a typical formulaic film that is easy to watch, and secretly, he is quite capable of telling a story through visuals. Take the beginning: we see Alfred van de Heuvel adding to his bucket list, then a shot of his hand holding a glass that falls, followed by four women in a row on an outdoor bench from behind. The urn they are carrying is not yet in view. Without saying a word, as a viewer, you know what happened in three shots. That is fine. It is just a shame that the scripts are often so mediocre and Nijenhuis's films are populated by annoying actors. In this case, Jan Kooijman, who lays on the fact that he is still a childlike figure far too thick. Fortunately, the three sisters and the mother are okay. I always enjoy Sloesen, Vogel is fine, and Hoes is a fine actress who just once chose to mainly act in trash. Other than that, zero surprises in the film, but oh well. 2.5*.

Translated from Dutch · View original