Sextet (2007)

Directed by: Eddy Terstall | 105 minutes | comedy, romance | Actors: Katja Schuurman, Gene Bervoets, Esmarel Gasman, Tygo Gernandt, Tara Elders, Nadja Hüpscher, Femke Lakerveld, Annet Malherbe, Maria Kooistra, Jan Mulder, Rifka Lodeizen, Kim Pieters, Huub Stapel, Eric van Sauers, Marc van Uchelen, Jack Wouterse, Dirk Zeelenberg, Dieuwertje Blok, Marion van Thijn, Jeroen van Koningsbruggen, Peer Mascini, Martin Koolhoven, Lucretia van der Vloot, Richard Brailford, Marlies Bark, Kees Boot, Horace Cohen, Jenne Decleir, Sanne den Hartogh, Alette Dirkse, Christophe Haddad, Rachida Laalalla, Teun Kuilboer, Jacob Kurc, Natasja Loturco, Hans Man int Veld, Jasper van Overbrugge, Ahmed Salah, Kyoko Scholiers, Ariana Smorenburg, Sophie van der Stap, Soetkin Verwilt

A statement like “I’ve always said it” would be appropriate here. Eddy Terstall is currently the best Dutch director. That he is good was already clear after his third film ‘Hufters en Hofdames’ from 1997. Loved and known in Japan and ignored in the Netherlands, Terstall continued to make good films, such as ‘De Boekverfilming’ from 1999. He has grown over the years . His subjects were essentially always the same, bottom line: sex and relationships. ‘Simon’ (2004) is essentially the only exception. It seems that the serious side he showed in ‘Simon’ has helped his other side to mature as well.

That is noticeable in everything. His dialogues are perhaps a little less idiosyncratic than before, but statements like “she has buttocks you wouldn’t want to park your bike in” (quote from ‘Sextet’) are less common. The characters are therefore slightly less magnified. They are believable, but still often very funny, funnier maybe. The dialogues are complete and fit well. It is therefore nice to see that it is easy for the actors to pronounce and convey these flawlessly and credibly.

And there are quite a few, those actors. ‘Sextet’ has ‘them’ almost all of them. And they all do great! Nadja Hüpscher, Terstall’s interpreter from the very beginning, unfortunately only gets off with a small part. Fortunately, there is still a battalion of good players left. Katja Schuurman, who gets more beautiful as she gets older, is excellent as a bored pot, Dirk Zeelenberg is in love, Fedja van Huêt and Jacob Derwig (two of the Netherlands’ greatest acting talents!) shine wonderfully as advertising teenagers lifted over the horse and Eric van Sauers steals the show with witty monologues. Newcomer Esmarel Gasman also impresses, but the biggest compliment goes to her opponent Jan Mulder, who surprises with an excellent role as an insecure suitor of seventy. Their sequence is reminiscent of ‘Lost in Translation’, which is meant as a compliment.

Are there any criticisms? Yes, but not much and not big. The form of the film, a combination of a frame story and a relay race (quote from the film), is imaginative and interesting, but occasionally raises the question of whether it was really necessary. The film makes fun of itself with this, but also seems to mow the grass a bit too easily for the critics. The Belgian film teacher starts to disturb at a certain point and although the animations are nice, you also wonder whether they were really necessary.

Well, what would that be? The Dutch film is going well! Eddy Terstall proves that in any case with his (apparently) low budget film. The actors must have been paid little or not at all (is it really going well?), because technology, catering and other related companies usually work for a reason and the film does look good. Anyway, they had fun with it. Because that splashes off the canvas in this mature and yet also very easily digestible and a bit committed story. Tip: watch out for Terstall star Marc van Uchelen who, together with Horace Cohen, will make you roll off your chair like Eastern European ‘fittings’, brilliant scene, brilliantly performed!