Tony 10 (2012)

Directed by: Mischa Kamp | 85 minutes | family | Actors: Rifka Lodeizen, Jeroen Spitzenberger, Faas Wijn, Annet Malherbe, Carlo Boszhard, Anna Drijver, Loek Peters

Ten reasons to watch ‘Tony 10’:

1. The scenario by Mieke de Jong (‘War Winter’, ‘Knetter’) balances in a pleasant way between the way children view their environment and the complicated world of adults. In ‘Tony 10’ the problems are real, but they are fought against in an almost magical way by the almost ten-year-old protagonist. So it is not strange at all to call in the help of the queen in case of difficulties and if you need transport, just grab a crane.

2. The subject, divorce, is unfortunately something that many children (and therefore adults) have to deal with. The effect that such a major event has on children is often very large and ‘Tony 10’ addresses the theme in a way that the target group will recognize: Tony Wagemans wants nothing more than for the situation to be like it used to be, when he, his father Gilles and his mother Sissy still formed a close trinity, as can be seen in the beginning of the film. He believes with all his heart that everything will be fine. But ‘Tony 10’ also shows that sometimes things don’t always go the way you want them to and that this can also have advantages.

3. Annet Malherbe. Please make us such a queen! The actress portrays the role of queen so wonderfully hilarious that she steals every scene in which she makes her noble appearance. Without Annet Malherbe no ‘Tony 10’, another actress in this role is simply unimaginable.

4. Faas Wijn is the hero of the story and easily wraps the viewer around his fingers. Or should we say ‘fuck’ or ‘steal’? He captivatingly portrays the title character and turns Tony into a smart boy with a heart of gold. Boys will look up to him for being so firm and heroic, girls will fall in love with him and he will be endearing to adult viewers.

5. Mischa Kamp’s directing deserves a lot of praise. It was already clear that the filmmaker knows how to make excellent family films, but with the light-hearted treatment of a heavy theme such as divorce in the appealing, well-arranged ‘Tony 10’ she adds without a doubt a new topper to her CV.

6. Rifka Lodeizen, who plays Tony’s mother Sissy, may be at risk of being typecast as a mother. In ‘Patatje Krijg’ she already put in a fine performance as the mother of nine-year-old Kiek, who had to remove her daughter’s uncertainty about her father’s safety. In ‘Back and forth day’, a short film, she also played Faas Wijn’s mother, but in it she was the one who ended the marriage (with Jeroen Spitzenberger, here Tony’s father!). Typecast or not, it is always a pleasure to watch the talented actress at work. Her character is sweet, honest and realistic, she knows how to move you sincerely and you wish her the very best. You can believe that Tony thinks his mother is the sweetest thing in the world!

7. Jeroen Spitzenberger (‘Süskind’) convincingly portrays the big child that Tony’s father Gilles is in fact. In this fairytale setting, it is very likely that from the birth of his son he manages to climb from crane operator to Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management and both positions suit him. He’s a bad and a good father at the same time: unreliable as hell, yet he deserves Tony’s unconditional love.

8. The supporting roles, played by Anna Drijver, Loek Peters and Carlo Boszhardt, are delightful. Anna Drijver is nice and bitchy, just like a child imagines the woman who has taken his father from him and his mother. She is very funny during the forced tour of the Queen’s house when Tony can’t use her presence for a while. Loek Peters as Toep only has a few scenes, but like that of Carlo Boszhardt, who plays Tony’s royal-loving teacher, these are impressive.

9. The decoration. The palace, Tony’s house and the crane workshop where it stands, Tony’s school, looks beautiful and well cared for. Authentic, but also just a bit out of touch with reality. It’s only a short bike ride from Tony’s house and you’re in front of the Queen’s Palace, with the beautiful driveway and garden in which the Queen likes to root.

10. Crane Machines. Those are just cool. And when you see the tricks Tony learns from his father, you will only agree.

‘Tony 10’ is a quality youth film that the Netherlands can be proud of. Go see!