Sexy singer survives WW2

Sexy singer survives WW2

Paul Verhoeven’s first Dutch movie in two decades, Black Book shows this controversial director has lost none of his edge. For its 145 minutes, Black Book is a thriller that pulses with life – you won’t find it boring but you may find some of it in mind-boggling bad taste.

This is the director who got Sharon Stone to part her legs in Basic Instinct. And you may recall how he directed sexy Casper Van Dien’s whipping scene in Starship Troopers. Verhoeven’s filmography includes the hilariously bad Showgirls, as well as Total Recall and Robocop, but apparently he feels he’s being denied access to Hollywood’s A-list stars, hence his return to his native Netherlands. Before his American sojourn, he directed a dozen or so successful features there, including the gay-themed The Fourth Man, released here in 1984.

Set during the final year of World War 2, Black Book follows the hectic exploits of popular actress and singer Rachel Steinn, who changes her identity to conceal her Jewish ancestry, joins the Resistance, infiltrates the Nazi SS, falls in love with its Dutch commanding officer, but is betrayed by a mysterious traitor in the Resistance. Verhoeven spent 20 years developing the script, fascinated with the idea of portraying Resistance fighters who weren’t heroic, and Nazis who were sympathetic. In dire straits, he suggests, most people do what they need to do to survive.

The ever resourceful Rachel Steinn is an unforgettable character, and the actress who plays her, Carice van Houten, is a revelation, bound for international stardom – she’s signed to co-star with Tom Cruise in Bryan Singer’s next movie. There’s an unfortunate scene near the end where once again accusations of misogyny will be raised against Verhoeven – seldom has a beautiful leading lady been humiliated in such a disgusting way.

Almost as stunning as van Houten is Halina Reijn in a major supporting role as her friend Ronnie. Their story is told in flashback from 1956 when the two women meet again in an Israeli kibbutz. Don’t be put off by the subtitles, Verhoeven is always entertaining, and it’s a rattling good yarn.

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