A classic

Ever since I have lived in the Netherlands, I have been interested in Dutch movies, especially the classics. Furthermore, after Paul Verhoeven, Dick Maas must be the most successful Dutch director ever. I mean, unlike Verhoeven, he never managed to build up an international career (he did try though at the end of the 90’s, directing actors like Naomi Watts and William Hurt but both movies ‘Do Not Disturb’ and ‘Down’ were huge flops). Anyway, in the Netherlands, he had some major success, especially with the awful ‘Flodder’ franchise but he has made also some major Dutch classics and this movie was definitely one of them. Eventually, even though this movie has a very good reputation in the Netherlands I really had a hard time to care about the whole thing. The point is that, yes, it is well directed, yes, there is a good mood created but, honestly, what a ludicrous story. Of course, it is difficult to sell a story about a killing elevator but, in my opinion, the makers pretty much expected the viewers to accept this concept at face value without asking any question. Anyway, to conclude, even though I thought it was slightly disappointed, it is a classic in the Netherlands and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you are interested in Dutch movies.

6/10