Ome Cor

Martin van Waardenberg delivers a unique (but not necessarily good) cinematic experience with Ome Cor. A film that embodies the spirit of Rotterdam. Shot with minimal resources and dedicated to supporting the Sophia Children's Hospital, the project itself is a commendable achievement. Shot with only one camera and a drone, this film showcases creativity at its best.

The plot of Ome Cor takes a backseat to the film's overarching purpose: celebrating Rotterdam. From the iconic Erasmus Bridge to the rugged charm of the harbor to De Kuip; the city is beautifully captured. Despite being limited to a single camera the cinematography impresses. For locals the film offers a delightful sense of familiarity while outsiders can enjoy a lighthearted glimpse of the city's essence.

Van Waardenberg shines as Ome Cor. He portrays a down-on-his-luck petty thief struggling with life's misfortunes and a strained relationship with his daughter, played by his real-life daughter Floortje. This father-daughter dynamic combined with cameos from notable Rotterdammers, including the mayor, keeps the story engaging and full of surprises. While the plot won't revolutionize cinema it provides enough substance to hold your attention.

Ome Cor isn't trying to be high art and that's precisely why (at least in my opinion) it succeeds. It's a delightful love letter to the city by the Maas. Brimming with humor and simplicity. Will it leave a lasting impression? Perhaps not. But it's undeniably worth a watch. It offers the charm of a cabaret performance stretched into a film.

You gotta love the iconic Martin van Waardenberg, but unfortunately he makes bad decisions too, and this is one of them. The movie has no scenario, it just movie from one scene with a 'famous Dutch person' to the next one.

The comedy is only seldomly funny. The drama is cringey; badly acted and badly written. And even Van Waardenberg himself is not on top of his game: he can play a foulmouted fool like no one else, but this is not one of his top 50 performances.

I wanted to like this movie, and there were some chuckles ("betonknie") in the beginning scenes, but irritations grew as the movie progressed.

The proceeds of the movie are apparently for a children's hospital, there you have it, at last something positive about this mess of a movie.

Beautiful movie. Martin deserves a gouden kalf for his performance. Laugh, cry, black comedy. For a Dutch movie great played. The film takes you into the life of uncle Cor. Well acted by all the actors, beautiful images of Rotterdam. The movie gives you a smile and a tear. Really well made for a low budget film. This film deserves to be embraced by a large audience. I don't understand why it is only seen a couple of times in a cinema. It really must be showed in all cinemas in Holland. Well directed, well acted and a great story. Forget the critical reviews, these are incorrect and based on nothing. Just see for yourself.

OK, so this is a film for a good cause. I missed that, so I'll revise my score to reflect this fact. It's a zero budget film.

Original review:

Sure, Waardenberg is a name you trust. Well, this steaming pile definitely violated that trust. It may be nice to see Rotterdam on film, but the totally senseless and unreal plot consisting of scenes that have been randomly put together wear out after half an hour or so.

The conclusion of the film is so ridiculous that it looks like someone put the writers out of their misery.

So sorry to see the talent in this film wasted on so many levels. Waardenberg, please get a role in a good film! This steaming pile, just looks good on the outside but is totally rotten to the bone.

Sorry to sound a bit overly negative, but the Dutch, and especially the Rotterdamse Dutch don't mince their words.

Ome Cor garners a middling 5/10 for its blend of Rotterdamse humor and portrayal of everyday life, although it falls short in terms of acting quality. The show has its moments of genuine humor but is let down by subpar performances.

The series tries to capture the essence of Rotterdam's culture, often succeeding in delivering local humor that resonates with those familiar with the city's vibes. The concept of highlighting everyday scenarios with a comedic twist is appealing, and there are segments in the show that genuinely bring out a laugh.

However, the heavy reliance on well-known Dutch personalities (BN'ers) doesn't quite pay off. While the intention might be to draw in viewers with familiar faces, their acting often feels forced and unconvincing, detracting from the authenticity and relatability of the scenes.

In conclusion, Ome Cor is a show with potential, boasting a unique local flavor of humor that could be very appealing. Nonetheless, the overall execution, particularly the acting, leaves much to be desired. It's a show that might offer some laughs but doesn't consistently deliver the quality expected of a well-rounded comedy series, hence the average rating.