Mister van Leeuwen’s last journey (2010)

Directed by: Hanro Smitsman | 72 minutes | drama | Actors: Ronald Top, Mike Reus, Frits Lambrechts, Rosa Reuten, Pier van Brakel, Ingeborg Uijt den Bogaard, Urmie Plein, Martijn de Rijk, Myranda Jongeling, Sanneke Bos, Harry van Rijthoven, René van Zalm, Katarina Justic, Valerie Pos, Martin van Waardenberg, Lorentz Teufer, Marijn Bekkenk, Harin Msellek, Christine Bijvanck, Paul Hoes, Jaap Maarleveld, Turan Furat, Sjoera Retel, Bob Stoop, Rob van de Meeberg, Folmer Overdiep

Hanro Smitsman already has extensive experience in directing Telefilms. His contribution to the project has been a fact for three years in a row. The fact that his first two Telefilms, ‘Skin’ (2008)) and ‘De Punt’ (2009) were so worthwhile, creates high expectations for number three, ‘The last journey of mister Van Leeuwen’. ‘Skin’, which made an overwhelming impression with Robert de Hoog in the lead role and which gave De Hoog’s career an enormous boost, won a Golden Calf and ‘De Punt’ (2009) about the Moluccan train hijacking at De Punt in Drenthe was also very compelling. . The fact that it was the only Telefilm to receive a DVD release in that year says it all. (“Stella’s war” too, but it was also shown in the cinema).

‘Mr Van Leeuwen’s last journey’ deals with the Alzheimer’s problem of a father of two adult sons. The conflict between two brothers, one of whom, Nico (Mike Reus), has to deal with the problems of this debilitating disease on a daily basis and the other, Ernst (Ronald Top) barely aware at the beginning of the story is of how bad the decline is, is well illustrated by Reus and Top. Smitsman keeps the family history mysterious until well into the film: you immediately feel that the relationship between the two brothers and that of Ernst and the father is tense. It is clear that there is more going on than just recent developments in father’s health. It creates an oppressive atmosphere, the recurring home video images of a garden party that was recorded somewhere in the seventies contribute to this. It is virtually impossible to estimate in advance what exactly underlies this family drama.

Frits Lambrechts is formidable in his portrayal of the father. His sophisticated body language makes his character very realistic and he draws the viewer into his melancholic moods. It is so sad that he sometimes imagines himself in a different era than he really is. The impotence of Nico, who not only has to take care of his father, but also feels the financial problems that their farm is struggling with, is also played very naturally by Mike Reus. Ronald Top does not have an easy role, because the viewer’s sympathy will not lie directly with him, but you still understand his train of thought. His looks often speak volumes.

It’s a shame the brothers’ conflict isn’t strong enough to carry the entire film. It is clear from the outset which of the two will capitulate. In addition, several things do not come out well in the film: what the role of the mysterious red-haired girl is, for example, or the blossoming relationship between Ernst and the nurse who seems to be developing a little too quickly to be convincing. Yet this Telefilm by Hanro Smitsman is also worth watching, is it not for the strong acting, or for the atmospheric cinematography of Joost Rietdijk, Smitsman’s regular DOP. The film is also a great starting point for a conversation with your immediate family. to determine everyone’s point of view in a similar situation.