God Only Knows (2019)

Directed by: Mijke de Jong | 78 minutes | drama | Actors: Marcel Musters, Monic Hendrickx, Elsie de Brauw

‘God Only Knows’ is Mijke de Jong’s tenth feature film. It is the second time she has cast Elsie de Brauw and Marcel Musters (‘Betweenstand’, 2007) and strangely enough the first time that Monic Hendrickx plays in one of her films. However, these three top actors play a family like they’ve never done anything else.

The film is about two sisters and a brother, who on the one hand are very close, and on the other hand can not see each other every now and then. Their age is between fifty and sixty, they no longer have parents and understandably they have been through a lot with the three of them. They know each other through and through and therefore think that half a word is enough. The eldest, Thomas (Marcel Musters), is currently struggling with psychological problems. A panic attack in the opening scene of the film leads him to run outside, cross the street and jump into a canal. A cry for help that is answered with love by eldest sister Doris (Elsie de Brauw). Doris feels very responsible for her brother’s well-being. It turns out that caring is in her blood, because she also works professionally for people who need help. The youngest member of the family is Hannah (Monic Hendrickx). Hannah is a lot more laconic about her brother’s mental situation. She is wildly annoyed by the patronizing nature of Doris and thinks that things are not going so well with Thomas. That, of course, clashes. And it might even escalate.

The three characters in ‘God Only Knows’ are given plenty of space by De Jong. She observes them in beautiful close-ups, where the actors completely disappear into their roles. The delightful, lifelike and masterfully written dialogues draw the viewer into this family. The love and irritation just explodes, it’s just real. Harrowing, sometimes, but often very funny.

The great thing about the scenario is that all three characters have something you can identify with, but at the same time also get the blood from under your nails. None of the characters is above the other. The unstable Thomas is unintentionally comical because he takes the suffering of the whole world and loses himself in it. But he also definitely says sensible things. The loving Doris can initially break a pot with the viewer, but you also get the feeling that her meddling is a bit too much. And Hannah may have a little more of Doris (and vice versa by the way), but her down-to-earth view of things and hands-on mentality is also very welcome. The interplay between these three strongly written characters is a joy to watch. The way in which De Jong gives shape to the shared past of Thomas, Hannah and Doris is very inventive.

As intimate as the film’s story is, ‘God Only Knows’ also has wise things to say about more general matters, such as religion (the film takes place in a few days, from Maundy Thursday to Easter) and the influence of a Christian upbringing. on people (even if you don’t “do” anything about it later in life). and the immense pressure on carers. You can also see Thomas’s state of mind in a broader perspective: many people today feel the urge to save the world or at least warn their fellow man about all dangers that threaten humanity and the planet. Very well done. Recommendation of the week.