A Timely Departure
Paul Verhoeven took a while to make Black Book , his first directorial effort since the forgettable Hollow Man of 2000, and the fruit of his patient labors is a rich film in imagery and history. Now on DVD, the World War II-era story of a female spy from the Dutch resistance who infiltrates Gestapo headquarters by romancing an Nazi officer is gripping and often graphic, but also lush and vast in its presentation of the European countryside. Coming from the Netherlands-born director of Basic Instinct , Starship Troopers , Robocop , and Total Recall , this is clearly a more personal and important work, one that resonates deep through the horrors endured and depicted. The authenticity in the characters’ wardrobe and costumes design, along with the attention to detail in set decoration show a rare level of commitment in film making from page to screen. Although there’s no denying the unsettling subject matter may put off some viewers, it is an essential piece of art for any aficionado of the cinema.
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