Boomers (2026)

A good film in which a man meets his childhood sweetheart at a wedding. The mix of drama, comedy, and romance isn't always balanced, but it does result in a pleasant and entertaining film. Some excellent dialogue, and Huub Stapel plays an entertaining lead character. The scene with the bedridden mother is beautiful, respectful, and intimate.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Bob [Huub Stapel], a 65-year-old man, is in a relationship with Fee [Jennifer Hoffman], 30 years younger than him, but isn't exactly thrilled about fulfilling her desire to have children. At the wedding of his first ex-wife [Bo Bojoh], he meets Odille [Renée Fokker], whom he hasn't seen since a whirlwind romance in high school. Stapel looks (rightly) bored in this hackneyed and incredibly slow-burning romantic drama. Anneke Blok (as Bob's second ex-wife) and Godeliveer De Groot (as Bob's needy mother) deliver excellent performances; the rest of the cast has little to do.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Stapel carries the film, his acting talent bursting from the screen. When Fokker appears on the scene, especially in the scene on the dike, there's a top-notch performance. The chemistry is superb. Furthermore, the film is filled with cliché jokes, two cousins, three marriages, two daughters, two squatter friends, nostalgia, and memories, all taking center stage as we look back over 40-45 years. The deeper message, stemming from the childhood trauma linked to his mother and the care she received, could have been explored a bit more, as that influences his behavior. Now, everything is touched upon and then carried on. I thought the note at the end was well-conceived; it illustrates how teenagers can destroy each other, even now... digitally. Hoffman is a bit disappointing, Blok is the insightful ex, and the rest do their best. All in all, a film with a smile and the realization that what you envision in life, you should do. 3.3*

Translated from Dutch · View original