Sonny Boy (2011)

Directed by: Maria Peters | 132 minutes | drama | Actors: Ricky Koole, Sergio Hasselbaink, Frits Lambrechts, Marcel Hensema, Katja Herbers, Monic Hendrickx, Martijn Lakemeier, Gaite Jansen, Rogier Komproe, Anneke Blok, Jaap Spijkers, Stijn Westenend

‘Sonny Boy’ is the film adaptation of the bestseller of the same name by Annejet van der Zijl. The book belongs to the genre of literary non-fiction, a branch of writing that has a long tradition, especially outside the Netherlands. The literary aspect of ‘Sonny Boy’ is not in elaborate scenes, invented dialogues and dramatized interaction, but in a clever build-up of tension, an atmospheric evocation of pre-war Scheveningen and a clear and economical writing style at the same time.

The book ‘Sonny Boy’ is a nuanced piece of historiography, in which gray tones predominate. We can’t say the same about the film. Contradictions are emphasized and characters often gravitate towards stereotypes: the vicar preaching evil, the godly cheater, the racist colleague and the greatest jew hunter in the Netherlands. He also neatly introduces himself as the biggest jew hunter in the Netherlands.

Another problem is the sheer amount of events. A multi-part television series might contain those events, a feature film cannot. So we go through the story at high speed, where every form of consideration and depth is lost. Moreover, worn images are often chosen: a Jew playing the violin in the concentration camp, nausea that heralds a pregnancy, marching German soldiers announcing that the enemy has arrived.

The acting is not always as strong, and it is surprising that most German characters are played by Dutch people, complete with a Dutch accent. And what about two German child soldiers in the year 1945 who are played by two well-fed Dutchmen. It is also a shame that the most skilled actors (Anneke Blok, Jaap Spijkers, Monic Hendrickx) get the smallest roles.

Then we haven’t even mentioned the biggest problem: the dialogues. In ‘Sonny Boy’ the dialogues are mainly used to make announcements that are also spooned up as announcements. As in the beginning of the film, when Waldemar’s father informs his son from a boat that he is not coming home that evening, because he has decided to live in Brazil. As if he goes to visit the neighbors and they don’t have to wait for him with the food.

Fortunately, the tragic history of Rika van der Lans and Waldemar Nods has already been given a place in Dutch culture. The book ‘Sonny Boy’ remains an expertly chiseled monument to two courageous outsiders. Unfortunately, the film is no more than a ludicrous memorial stone.