Not all cinema industries are equal. Some have to fight very hard in order to get noticed and have their films distributed beyond national borders. That can include even Dutch cinema, which had number of interesting films in its history and had many talents contributing to Hollywood in the last decades of 20th Century. One example of such global neglect could be found in Character, 1997 period drama directed by Mike Van Diem, film which, despite winning Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, had to wait four years for video distribution in Croatia.
The film is based on the eponymous 1938 novel by Ferdinand Bordewijk, often considered to be one of the classics of Dutch literature. Plot is set in 1920s Rotterdam and begins with young attorney Jacob Katadreuffe (played by Fedja van Huet) being accused for the murder of Dreverhaven (played by Jan Decleir), court bailiff whose brutal methods and lack of compassion made him the most feared figure among Rotterdam’s poor. During police interrogation Kattadreufe tells details of his long and bizarre relationship with Dreverhaven. It all began when Dreverhaven made his mother, quiet maid Joba (played by Betty Schuurmann), pregnant. Although Dreverhaven offered to marry her, Joba refused and instead decided to raise little Jacob in poverty. While growing up, Jacob gradually learned the truth about his father but also realised that he would never recognise him. After that Jacob takes job as clerk in respected law firm where his boss De Gankelaar (played by Victor Löw) notices his talent and helps him get a law degree. Jacob uses his new career to defy his father and, among other things, takes loan in Dreverhaven’s bank knowing that he could never pay it back. He is so obsessed with his bizarre vendetta that he doesn’t notice that his beautiful colleague Lorna Te George (played by Tamar van den Dop) loves him.
While many outsiders today view Netherlands as “cool” and prosperous country, it wasn’t always the case, especially for those at the lower strata of Dutch society. Character recreates 1920s Rotterdam as dark and depressive city where many find way out of unbearable poverty through Communist ideology. Bordewijk, however, wasn’t particularly interested in politics and social issues and took the story about father and son as an opportunity for detailed character study. This approach was embraced by Mike Van Diem in his adaptation, which looks like combination of Dickens and ancient Greek tragedies. Cast is very good, which includes Fedja van Huet as young man who would pay high price for being stubborn. Jan Declair is also good in the role of multi-dimensional villain, but is overshadowed by Betty Schuurmann as quiet and stoical woman. Van Diem also puts locations in various European cities, chosen because genuine 1920s Rotterdam architecture ceased to exist during WW2 bombing, to good use. Character is very good, but hardly perfect film. Reason for that can be found in sometimes confusing flashback techniques, as well as ending that looks a little bit deus ex machina. Despite that, Character deserves recommendation even for viewers that aren’t primarily interested in certain European cinema industries.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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