Antonia's Line (1996)

To a small Dutch town filled with characters known by such names as Crooked Finger, Loony Lips, and the Mad Madonna, Antonia returns with her daughter Danielle after 20 years away. Covering the next 40 years, Antonia's Line looks at the matriarch and her offspring, stretching out to her great-granddaughter, Sarah. A whimsical story with fairy-tale conventions, this movie deals with the cyclical nature of time as well as the strength of women. While this is not just a "woman's movie," men are regulated to the background in a story that tells of women breaking free of traditional roles. Surprisingly, this movie achieves a light-hearted tone while tackling serious subjects: small-town prejudices, rape, and suicide. Yet the drama's comedic heart shines through as Antonia collects a rather odd assortment of people, outsiders who become part of her extended family. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, Antonia's Line is moving and beautiful, imparting a sense of hope and joy to the viewer. --Jenny Brown Amazon.com

A favorite.

I loved Enchanted April. This is one of my other favorite. Fun to watch with friends and family. The character development is excellent. The story is narrated and takes you into people life. Excellent movie to be watched over and over again. July 24, 2008

A movie to watch over and over again!

After watching Antonia's Line with a group of friends, I couldn't wait to view it again. In fact, I rushed home and ordered it from Amazon. I have joyfully shared it with others. It is an uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable movie. Not only is the story extremely appealing, but the cinematography is outstanding. The Dutch actors are so finely cast. Surprisingly, the subtitles do not impede one's enjoyment of the movie. I absolutely love this movie and want to share it with the world. July 10, 2008

Soothing...

The 1995 film won the 1996 Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film. It is described by its director as a "feminist fairy tale." It is set in a rural farming village in the Netherlands (and filmed in Belgium) and covers a span of 40 years beginning after the end of World War II. Antonia, 40 years old, is a strong minded, strong willed and a fiercely independent woman. She returns to the place of her birth, a family farm, when she is called home by her Mother who is about to die. Antonia raises her teenage daughter Danielle and works a large farm without a husband. While Antonia and Danielle find the town to be backward in its traditions and customs, they settle in and make a life for themselves - and they begin to leave their mark (a better one) and shape the town by taking in a retarded girl who is raped - taking in a simpleton who is abused by his family and the town children - and be-friend a farmer who is spouseless trying to raise 6 children. Then the story moves through 2 later generations with Danielle wanting a child (but not a Father) - the birth and development of Danielle's daughter, Therese who is a math and music prodigy - and onward to the birth or Therese's daughter - a cute a charming red head who watches her great grandma leave the earth.

The film touches a number of topics including purpose of life and death (a lot on and too much on Death for my taste), religion, sex, love and marriage. Most of the men in the story are mere appendages or brutes - and there is little understanding of some who play key roles - like Crooked Finger, a family friend (who explains Plato, Nietzsche and Schopenhauer to the young girls) - we don't know who he is, how he became a close family friend - or why he believes humanity is as dark and hopeless as he does.

The cinematography is wonderful in this film with the director capturing the beauty of the Belgium landscapes - sunsets over fields and hills - the simple, comforting farm houses and large families gathering around a large wooden table for meals and celebrations - the basic but functional architecture on the town buildings and homes.

And a NY Times reviewer captured the essence of the film - "Strong Women With a Faith in Destiny...While the film rejects and even mocks ideas of organized religion, it has a solid faith in nature and destiny, as well as in the fundamental goodness of its women. It expresses that faith with serene confidence in the cycles of birth, death and replenishment that play out during the story."
June 7, 2008

THIS MOVIE IS PERFECT.

This is the best film of all time. It's phenomenal. The direction and acting are perfect, lighting and art direction are perfect, script is perfect. Literally my favorite movie. This "review" is intended to do nothing but rave. April 6, 2008

Short, Sweeter, and to the Point

To talk about "Antonia's Line", discussing plot, character, and mysticism, would mean to denounce the magic of this immaculate film. Gorris has challenged modern mid-90s cinema and developed a feature that not only makes you smile, but evokes conversation, intellect, and continuous repeat viewings. Gorris has created lovable characters, truly evil townsfolk, and especially a venue for love to demonstrate its unyielding power. When writing reviews, my words typically flow between four to five paragraphs - but with this little, random, powerful film - I can only give you this much. This film, "Antonia's Line" needs to be required viewing by all. It redefines family when our current culture so desperately lacks it. This film makes you look beyond your imagination, into a whole new world that Disney could never begin to touch. It is perfection. It is simple. It is mind-blowing.

As our cinemas are bombarded with crass humor, extensive explosions, and unchallenging words - "Antonia's Line" breathes a breath of fresh air into the DVD player. Grab yourself a copy of this immediately - before it goes out of print or forgotten.

Yep. It is honestly that good.

Grade: ***** out of *****
March 18, 2008

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