De Avonden (1989)
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Duration: 116 minuten
Country:
Netherlands
Directed by: Rudolf van den Berg
Stars: Thom Hoffman, Viviane de Muynck and Rijk de Gooyer
IMDb score:
6,7 (617)
Releasedate: 8 December 1989
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
De Avonden plot
It is 1946, around Christmas. Frits van Egters, office clerk against all odds, we follow on his evening trips along his friends. Frits is convinced that a more beautiful and exciting life should be possible. Through the dreams of the 'Other Life' and his tender dealings with a toy rabbit, we become more and more familiar with his secret cravings. On the last day of the year, Frits gives an ironic speech to the fireworks.
Actors and actresses
Frits van Egters
Maurits
Vader
Viktor
Moeder
Bep
Pim
Wim
Joop
Jaap
Reviews & comments
RoyDeSmet
-
- 86 messages
- 177 votes
Very different from the book though.
I've read the book twice, and I never thought Frits would be homosexual or psychotic. Just 'a little different'. In the film, that is very clear.
I saw the movie tonight.
Of course it is not a completely different story: they do stick to the essence of the story, only they set it up in a different way.
For example, 'Scenes' from the book do not appear in the film. Other scenes, such as with the sugar spoon and the berry apple, do appear in both the film and the book.
The dreams are also very different, and the proposal to write down his experiences with his parents[/spoilers] is also not in the book I believe.
What I thought was the essence of the book ("It's about Frits being annoyed by his parents, but in the end just loving them"), I found to be a bit of an afterthought in the film. In the book, the whole sexuality is hardly or not at all discussed.
I think the movie is a lot more gripping than the book and even more accessible,
although it seems like a very vague movie to me if you haven't read the book.
What I find a pity on the one hand is that Frits' 'behaviour' is not explained. On the other hand, that doesn't happen in the book either and because of that you can identify yourself more with Frits because you fill in your own experience, instead of being presented with a set of experiences.
I could empathize with the characters.
What I do find a downside is that you don't get Frits' thoughts along.
In the book I found the way he thought very interesting.
I also thought the last shot was a bit too dramatic.
To end on a positive note: it was really quite funny at times too!
Translated from Dutch · View original
RuudC
-
- 4636 messages
- 2529 votes
Actually a bit surprised. I'm not a big fan of 'better' Dutch literature, but maybe I'll read De Avonden anyway. Here I expected to see a lot of post-WWII traumas. It wasn't too bad, although you could link the message to it. Somehow I found it quite interesting to see a 1940s version of a completely disordered family with traits that are almost absurd. There are quite a few cool scenes. (not with your spoon in the sugar bowl!) The acting is good, although it is again typical archaic Dutch acting. No problem as far as I'm concerned. Nor that Dutch films from twenty years ago look as if they are ten or twenty years older. Beautiful poster too.
Translated from Dutch · View original
cucciolo
-
- 491 messages
- 1101 votes
I certainly didn't think it was a bad movie, but I still didn't think the book was taken very seriously. The tone, style, atmosphere etc of the book did not come across to me in the film. The question is, of course, whether a book like 'The evenings' lends itself so well to a film adaptation. I think a play would be more appropriate (and I believe it exists).
Translated from Dutch · View original
Corporate & Media
Realtimes Network
Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31(315)-764002
