Film Review

09 January 2009 02:36 BST

Black Book

Directed by Paul Verhoeven, out 19th January, starring Carice van Houten, Sebastian Koch and Thom Hoffman, running time: 145 minutes.

In a nutshell

Gripping World War II drama/thriller

What's it all about

The film tells the story of a beautiful Jewish singer Rachel Steinn at the end of the second world war. After her hiding place in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands is destroyed, Rachel embarks on a journey with a group of Jews in a bid to get to the already liberated south of the country. When their boat is intercepted and attacked by a German patrol boat, the majority of the group is massacred. Rachel is the only survivor.

Afterwards she joins the Dutch resistance and infiltrates German SD offices. A brutal tale of love and war follows, set in one of history's darkest periods.

Who's in it?

Rachel is played by the enigmatic Carice van Houten, who gives a stunning performance. Critics have unsurprisingly compared her to Scarlett Johansson, but on the strength of her gripping and emotional performance in Black Book, she will undoubtedly become a star in her own right.

German co-star Sebastian Koch also gives a strong performance as Rachel's love interest.

As an example

"Will it ever end?" Rachel's heartfelt outburst as the killing and deceit continues after the War is over

"Every survivor is guilty in some way"

Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars

Quite possibly. Although the film has received a somewhat mixed reaction in Holland, it has enough strong points to make it a contender. Best film in a foreign language is not out of the question, and given the Oscars history of having a soft spot for war films of this ilk, a nomination should be on the cards.

Van Houten is an up-and-coming star who we are likely to see a lot more of in Hollywood over the next few years, and what better place to start than at the Academy Awards ceremony.

What others say

"This lesson about humanity and about fear can be situated in the wake of several rare masterpieces, that are solemnly confronted by this story," Jacques Mandelbaum, LeMonde

"The reality of 1940-1945 as portrayed in Black Book compared to reality is like the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas compared to the original in Paris," Jessica Durlacher

So is it any good?

Black Book will not be to everyone's liking, and probably not one for the kids. Verhoeven's trademark mix of sex and violence is present throughout the film, but the narrative is engaging, and despite the film being almost two and a-half hours long, it never seems to drag.

There are twists and turns throughout to keep the audience guessing, you are never entirely sure who can be trusted and there are several suspenseful moments that will have you biting your nails in anticipation.

Although some critics in Verhoeven's native Holland have voiced concerns about the creative license he has used, the film should not viewed as one about the second world war, but instead as an exciting thriller about love and deceit set around the horrors of the time.

7.5/10

Jamie Reid

To read an interview with Paul Verhoeven about the film click. here.

To watch an exclusive Black Book video podcast that features a montage of key scenes from the film, set to music from it's soundtrack by the Academy Award winning composer Anne Dudley, click here.

Music composed by Anne Dudley. Vocal by Carice van Houten. Soundtrack available on Milan records. You will need itunes on your computer to be able to download it.

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