User Reviews

Strong points first. The acting is good, although I would never have casted Theo Maassen for this part. He does a proper acting job, but just thinking about his real-life carnaval hit while in the movie he is on the road with a 13-year old hostage who clearly gets Stockholm syndrome just makes me laugh.

The plot is great throughout. The Stockholm syndrome is kind of predictable, but the rest of the plot really isn't. Lots of times I was thinking 'what the hell is going to happen next' which really doesn't happen to me lots of times when watching movies. The greatest thing about the story is that we get compassionate about the main character, as does his young female hostage. But in the end we're all fooled, we haven't seen past the insanity and brutality of this man. A good message that we should never underestimate the sickness of the minds of these people.

But although this was all great, there are just some very simple things bugging me. Most notable is the complete unrealistic behaviour of police. It's just crazy that up to 2 times Johan stands next to the car, his hostage at the other side of the car, him pointing his gun at her, police all have a clear shot at him and nobody takes him down. The second time is the most crazy, policemen just drop to their knees and give him the keys to their police van. Just stupid, in real life Johan would've been taken out many times. Also the scene just after the tunnel when Johan loses the helicopter with ease is just unrealistic. And that's just painful. It just kills a potentially good movie and makes me chuckle.

So it's good, but flawed. Still good, certainly when taken into the perspective of regular Dutch production value.

One of the strongest Dutch movies of the year 2008 (the other one being Dunya & Desie) TBS is like a quality American TV movie, without the sentimental ending. Beautiful cinematography, excellent dark music, at their best moments create a creepy feeling like 7even. (A victim in a chest freezer!?) Theo Maassen, mainly known for his theater shows as a comedian, does a fine job, though he does seem to lose some of his focus towards the ending. Maassen plays a convicted criminal, already having served 14 years in jail, who remains under the supervision of the state until the therapists decide he's ready to return to society. (This is called TBS) Which is unlikely to happen as his supervisors want to transfer him to the long-stay, a place where you're basically stuck for good. Maassen escapes with a fellow prisoner (is he a figment of his imagination?) and, when alone, kidnaps a girl, as a trade-off, while he tries to prove his innocence. The girl seems to have problems at home (is her step dad nice to her?) and starts showing signs of the Stockholm syndrome. Which is at times hard to believe when you're kidnapped by someone who murders before your own eyes. A beautiful David Lynchian moment occurs when the two reach their destination, a typical Belgian camping site, where a little girl is singing while rocking a swing. Unfortunately, we don't hear the footsteps on the gravel, as the music drowns out most of the scene. It sometimes drowns the dialogue as well, which is actually not a bad thing considering the notorious bad dialogue in most Dutch films! TBS is worth a watch if you're interested in Northern European cinema, as a Dutch film I would give it 8/10, in the grand scheme of things it's a 6.5/10.

I was completely shocked after watching this film. The end was horrifying, upsetting and confusing. But even with a not-so-good-feeling after leaving the theater, I have to say I really loved this film. First of all the directing is great; Pieter Kuijpers made several really good based-on-facts films (DENNIS P., VAN GOD LOS, OFF SCREEN) and with this oeuvre he made a very worthwhile contribution to the Dutch (popular) cinema. He really understands both making grandiose action-scenes and scenes about subtle emotional human-interaction. So although I was shocked after wards, now a day later I come to really appreciate this film. Also because of the Oscar-worthy acting of Theo Maassen; his acting made him equally likable and charming as terrifying and fearsome. Brilliantly filmed and acted film! Applause! (but I think, I don't want to see it again..)

Accidentally stumbled upon during a sneak preview in Leiden, in my opinion the best Dutch movie since 'Simon'! Apparently Pieter Kuijpers has a strong connection to some of the darker figures of the Dutch entertainment industry (Tygo Gernandt, Theo Maassen), and with that sense creates a very tense atmosphere, where everything seems possible at any given moment. The only relief comes when the girl Tessa, who is beautifully played by Lisa Smit, is seduced into a smile by Johan (Theo Maassen). The biggest impact of this movie is the constant urge to be compassionate for Johan, while either consciously or subconsciously you know he doesn't deserve it, whether you already guessed the ending (which is very predictable, but nonetheless the most powerful scene), or not. On top of the continuous suspense of Johans' capriciousness the movie is very claustrophobic (nearly all small spaces, even the wood scenes are mostly shot under cover of thick trees), has nervous music, fast cuts and long shots of Johan looking angry, which took me as a prisoner as well. I almost never felt such a sense of relief when the ending came along, and that's not meant as a criticism. It feels so real that it's almost like waking from a bad dream. I'd recommend this to everyone, very good!

Didn't know what to expect from this film and was very pleasantly surprised. Excellent performances, tight plot, suspenseful direction, and it kept me guessing until the unsettling and unexpected final revelation. If this were a Hollywood film it would be ruined by making the main character either totally evil or (suprise!) good at heart in the end. Congrats to the filmmakers here for creating a very flawed yet very human protagonist. Not a monster, just one screwed up human being. Thanks for trusting your audience enough to put a human face on the ultimate evil. Such a character is actually far more frightening and sinister that a stereotypically cardboard, black-hearted villain.

I watched the movie not so long ago, when it premiered on television. It is the most watched 'telefilm' so far, with an average of 650,000 viewers, and as the climax came near even 850,000. This might not seem much, but considering the Netherlands has a population of 16 million and telefilms usually draw less than 300,000 viewers, it is quite a lot. And well-deserved.

Mention to anyone in Holland TBS and you'll immediately notice that it is a sensitive subject. TBS (which means 'to be held in the interest of the state') is a punishment of being held in a psychiatric hospital for crimes which are committed under psychological abnormal circumstances. It is usually combined with a sentence to prison followed by intense psychological treatment that could last from 5 years till the death of the prisoner (the longest 'sitting' convict is being held in TBS for 45 years, with no prospects of release in the future). Basically, TBS could be a punishment equally severe as life sentence as long as the convict doesn't make any progress under his treatment. In 80 percent of the cases, the treatment is effective and the convict can successfully return to society. But despite the high chance of success, TBS is criticized heavily because some TBS'ers have managed to escape from their clinics in the last few years.

And now we come to the movie. It is loosely based on true events. When the main character Johan van der S. hears he'll be transferred to the long-stay clinic, from which no one so far has been released, it is the last straw for him, as he believes he is actually innocent. He escapes his clinic to search for his mother, whom he believed is the only person who could prove his innocence. In an act of desperation, he takes a thirteen year old girl hostage and she serves as his human shield. Together they search for his mother.

Theo Maassen is the best feat of this movie. Him being a stand-up comedian, I had my doubts, but with his impressive physique (he is over 6 ft tall), his thug-face, the wicked glint in his eyes and his charm I completely overlooked the fact that he makes jokes about the enormous variety of chips in the supermarket and cheese cubes in his shows. On his expressive face you can literally see the struggle between his urges and his will to be a good man. He wants his captive, but knows that if he takes her he'll commit a terrible crime. On occasions he steals a glance at the young girl but forces himself to look away not to tempt himself into doing things he would regret later. You actually feel for the guy. He seems to be a decent man, but as the story continues and more and more of his past is revealed, no one is sure, including Johan, if he's good or bad. He can be vulnerable the one minute, charming the next and the next murderously cruel. Theo Maassen inspires both sympathy and fear for his character, an impressive achievement.

Lisa Smit is convincing as Tessa, the hostage of Johan. She portrays an insecure, naive young girl, with Lolita treats. She is afraid of Johan, but as the story unfolds he wins her trust and affection. She finds his attention interesting and provokes him at some times by showing off her legs and brushing with her hand over his, making it difficult for Johan. Lisa Smit, a teenager herself, holds herself standing against the brilliant Maassen, which is admirable on itself.

Also compliments for the amazing shots of Bert Pot, especially in the scene in which Johan gives Tessa the earrings. With the sun coming through the clouds for a small minute, the moment symbolizes a light bulb in Johan's life and a bit of colour in his gray existence. I loved that scene, it was breathtaking.

The music really supported to plot. It was haunting at some points, tense.. It gave me a claustrophobic feeling in my gut. But sometimes, when Johan shows his vulnerability, it was almost painful to hear. Perhaps heart-wrecking is the right word. It's parallel to the duplicity of the film... A thriller and a drama.

And last but not least, much credit for the director. He delivered a nerve-wrecking, emotional picture that is difficult but worth to watch. He treads the line between good and evil and makes the viewer wonder: Who is Johan? Is he a good guy, or the monster other perceive him to be? Everyone in Holland should see this film, as it's about an often discussed topic, and everyone outside of Holland should see it too, if only it was to see the impressive performance of Theo Maassen.

The only point of critique I have is the implausibility at some points in this movie. If it's so easy to break out of a TBS clinic and if the escaped criminal has so little difficulty in shaking off the dutch and Belgian police, we are right to wonder if TBS really works for society. But don't let that distract you. The performances of the actors will definitely pull you through that plot hole.