Everything is family (2012)

Directed by: Joram Lürsen | 133 minutes | romance, comedy, drama | Actors: Thijs Römer, Benja Bruijning, Carice van Houten, Jacob Derwig, Martine Bijl, Kees Hulst, Diederik Ebbinge, Willeke Alberti, Tjitske Reidinga, Remko Vrijdag, Wilbert Gieske, Michiel Romeyn, René van ‘t Hof, Georgina Verbaan, Chris Zegers Kim van Kooten, Peter Blankenstein, Kes Blans, Kees Boot, Ralph Bracco, James Farley, Charmène Sloof, Alessa Aichinger

Five years after the cinema success ‘Everything is love’ (2007), director Joram Lürsen, screenwriter Kim van Kooten and lead actress Carice van Houten are once again joining forces for an unofficial sequel, ‘Alles is familie’ (2012). From a narrative point of view, this film stands alone. Where ‘Everything is love’ was very clearly inspired by Richard Curtis’ successful mosaic film ‘Love Actually’ (2003) in which romance and humor were the common thread, ‘Everything is family’ dares to tackle heavier themes. Life and death, fidelity and infidelity, barrenness, loneliness, an identity crisis; it will all pass. Of course, these subjects are then ‘dressed up’ with the sharp and sometimes venomous humor that characterize Kim van Kooten’s scripts. The troubles of the De Roover family turn out to be more than you might think at first. In addition to the script, the cast is also an important asset. We know what she has to offer from Carice van Houten, but rising star Benja Bruijning and Van Kootens husband Jacob Derwig also play well.

In Everything is Family, all the characters struggle with their own problems. Winnie (Carice van Houten) is a successful psychotherapist and author of self-help books, who desperately wants a child from her husband Rutmer de Roover (Thijs Römer), a rather egocentric songwriter. If he turns out to have ‘dead sperm’, Winnie has no choice but to hire a sperm donor. Rutmer thinks that his brother Charlie (Benja Bruijning) should act as a donor, because the child still has ‘something of him’ after all. He only forgets to tell Winnie what his plan is. Brother-in-law Dick (Jacob Derwig) appears to be aware. However, his own life has been standing still for a few years, actually since the death of his wife (Rutmer and Charlie’s sister) from cancer. As if all that wasn’t enough, the family is busy preparing for the 40th wedding anniversary of mom and dad (Kees Hulst and Martine Bijl). However, that love has cooled down quite a bit and it is very doubtful whether that party will ever come at all…

Despite the avalanche of problems that this family – and the people around them – have to deal with, Van Kooten has managed to turn them into characters of flesh and blood. The developments they go through feel completely natural, just like the dialogues. Music producer Rutmer is rather exuberant and outgoing, but also has a small heart. The same goes for the licentious Charlie, who can talk any woman into bed if they want. Just like ‘Everything is love’, many well-known Dutch people perform in supporting roles. A selection from the long series: Georgina Verbaan, Michiel Romijn, René van ‘t Hof, Willeke Alberti, Caroline de Bruijn, Wilbert Gieske and Chris Zeegers. Van Kooten herself also pops up briefly, but she saved the best supporting role for her father Kees, who steals the show as a seller of invalid carriages. Also hilarious are the tacky songs that Rutmer writes for his star Fulco (‘Flying Panther’ Remko Vrijdag brilliantly portrays Marco Borsato). Fortunately, he also says that it ‘isn’t about anything at all’. It is the tongue-in-cheek humor that Van Kooten uses in her script that gives the film the much-needed perspective. “It’s like a farce,” Winnie sighs as the dramatic entanglements reach a crazy climax. That is also Van Kooten, and Van Houten knows how to perfectly convey the cynical tone in her script.

We also saw sharp humor in ‘Everything is love’, so there is little new under the sun in that regard. But ‘Everything is family’ goes a step further. The film focuses on fewer characters and can therefore go further in depth. There’s more to it than meets the eye. The result is that the film is on the long side, but it manages to hold on to its audience for the full 133 minutes, and that is primarily due to Van Kooten. However, you won’t get very far without a solid cast and ‘Everything is family’ relies heavily on the excellent actors. Especially Bruijning and Derwig stand out in a positive way. The first one is someone to keep an eye on. His at first sight superficial character turns out to have deeper grounds and Bruining lets him slowly blossom in a very natural way. ‘Everything is family’ may have fewer thunderous laughs than its predecessor, but gives more satisfaction at the end of the ride. So bring on that already announced third film!