Guernsey

This movie was long and boring. Surprising that it was selected for Cannes, although they tend to like pretentiousness. Point is that contrary to other Dutch stars of the arty genre like Kerkhof and Kruishoop, Guernsey feels utterly empty. Even more so it has no cinematic quality whatsoever. A long opening shot doesn't mean cinematic depth, it's just a long boring shot. The story wasn't interesting and the characters had problems I couldn't identify with at all. The actors didn't shine under her direction and seemed lost at times. Leopold tried, but she is not the talent I hoped she would be. Where are Kerkhof and Kruishoop? They really made some waves in Dutch cinema. Leopold just made another attempt.

Very stylish and mood full film, reminding me of great masters as Antonioni. Especially thinking of films as L'Avventura and La Notte. Through her slow and quiet way of setting atmosphere. It gets you really drawn into the story. Asking yourself questions and getting your mind at work. Don't worry it's not that it's unwatchable. It's just a film that needs some time to sink. The way the director leaves out music and often dialog set's the tone makes you notice different things than your used to in the average movie. She tells her story with great accuracy and very nice photography. I think a must see for someone who says he loves the art of cinema.

Well there is not much of dialogue in this movie. i watched the whole movie in fast forward. the plot is not that strong, just the performance is decent according to the situation.

movie is also not MUCH about adultery or broken marriage, its kinda about that dark things happens in relationship but keep moving forward TOGETHER. no matter how messed up the life is.

Anna lives with her family in a new housing estate just outside the city. She has been with her husband Sebastiaan for years and they don't talk so much anymore. While on a working visit abroad, a female colleague commits suicide. Anna is deeply impressed by her death, even though she hardly knew her. Nobody seems to know why she took her own life. For the first time Anna realizes that one can be an unknown among your most dearest. Anna doesn't mention the incident back home and starts observing her husband and child. Guernsey is the story of a woman who suddenly starts looking at her own life. And she wonders how she got so drifted apart from the people closest to her.

(This is my translation of the DVD cover text synopsis. I hope you find it useful, as this movie doesn't have an IMDb Plot Summary yet at this date.)

What talent, what brilliance! And of course, I'm not talking about Fedja van Huet now. We already knew he's one of the most talented actors in Holland. I'm talking about the brilliant and beautiful leading actress Maria Kraakman, who does everything right in this film. But most of all I'm talking about Nanouk Leopold, an amazingly talented filmmaker who wrote an impeccable script and did everything right in directing the film. Every shot is exactly right, its length, its point of view, its framing, the sound, or the lack of it. The most beautiful film about silence, about not speaking, that I have ever seen. Every scene can be interpreted in different ways, is full of tender nuance without getting boring a single moment. A highlight in Dutch film history, maybe the best Dutch picture ever made.