Bubbles of blues! (2006)

Directed by: Karin Junger, Brigit Hillenius | 90 minutes | drama, musical | Actors: Maurits ‘Negativ’ Delchot, Sophie van Oers, SugaCane, Mr Probz, Raymzter, Kimo van den Berg, Derenzo, Verginia Olijfveld, Reina Linger, Glenn Durfort, Theo Pont, Gilberto Slengard, Mike Reus, Goldy Lakhai, Berget Lewis, Evelien Goedschalk, Ninja Piewie, Urwin Hoen, Siegfried Gerling, Olga Sumter

‘Shouf Shouf Habibi’ (2004), ‘Cool!’ (2004), ‘The Schnitzel Paradise’ (2005). Multicultural films are hot in the Netherlands. Immigrant and native actors and actresses, a good dose of humor and a good ending often seem enough for a successful production. But a bit standard, as the makers of ‘Bolletjes Blues!’ may have thought. In terms of style, this film most closely resembles ‘Madame Jeanette’ (2004) by Paula van der Oest. In terms of level, ‘Bulletjes Blues!’ unfortunately significantly less.

It is almost impossible to imagine a more clichéd scenario, although ‘Bolletjes Blues!’ based on a true story. Because although the title is reminiscent of a comedy film about swallowing lozenges, the final effect is more like a kind of ghetto version of Romeo & Juliet. Spike, a Surinamese gangster, falls in love with Rosalie, the civilized Dutch girl. An impossible task, although this time the problems do not come from rival families but from the different environments. Spike joins Delano’s gang when he leaves his aunt’s house and ends up in a world of crime, bling bling and drugs. He will do his utmost to earn money and make his dream of building an honest life with Rosalie come true. What a hero.

Which is also a shame about ‘Bolletjes Blues!’ is that the actors do not all come out equally well. That’s what you get if you just cast a few rappers and street battlers: it becomes unclear whether we should see Delano’s gang as real gangsters or as street rascals. On the one hand they are involved in cocaine smuggling and armed robbery of jewelers, on the other hand they continue to diss each other childishly until ad nauseam. But perhaps therein lies the strength of this film. Because every few scenes ‘Bolletjes Blues!’ changes. in a slick film musical with raps, ballads and above all a lot of tough breakdancers.

Of course, this genre is new, original and refreshing. It just doesn’t really fit the theme of the movie. It is comical to hear a drug smuggler sing his words with his criminal friends, but not realistic at all. ‘Spheres of Blues!’ seems to be a parody of the gangster world, not to mention the increasingly predictable scenario. Because it won’t be surprising at all that Delano decides to rob Rosalie’s father’s office store. It will be even less surprising that Spike opposes that. Spike decides to leave for Suriname to swallow globules and thus earn enough money in one fell swoop to save his relationship with Rosalie. The risks? Pfff… our hero isn’t getting caught, is he?

Well so. After a luxurious stay in a five-star hotel in Suriname, Spike and his friend Jimmy are taken to an old dilapidated house where they are kindly requested to stuff as many balls as possible. After almost an hour of looking, we understand where the title comes from. Spike is caught at the airport and ends up in prison in Suriname. In no time the clichés in the Netherlands follow one another: Rosalie worries about Spike, does it with Delano to find out more about it and eventually ends up with Uncle Edje, the big boss, to offer herself as a scooper. Uncle Edje accepts the proposal and Rosalie leaves for Suriname. Eeeh… yes. Of course.

Yet naming ‘Bulletjes Blues!’ not entirely unjustified as the Netherlands’ first musical urban film. This film definitely contains a number of special features: the musical and the urban to be precise. But really no more. Because although the musical pieces with raps and beautiful dance steps are fun to watch, you can also just watch The Box for an hour and a half. Besides, it’s just not fun to watch a movie where you can make up the story after ten minutes. The actors cannot save this film either, with perhaps an exception for Sophie van Oers. Let’s just go to ‘Bolletjes Blues!’ level end: …and they lived happily ever after!