Holland review: Nicole Kidman can’t save this exasperating, wayward thriller

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A star rating of 2 out of 5.

As a dedicated admirer, I can’t help but notice that Nicole Kidman consistently excels in portraying complex aspects of matrimony, particularly delving into its more mysterious and challenging dimensions, from her roles in Eyes Wide Shut to the modern adaptation of The Stepford Wives.

In a similar vein, the movie “Holland” could be criticized in the following manner: However, unlike other movies, this film often misses its mark as an engaging comedy-thriller due to its inconsistencies and lack of mastery in tackling its subject matter.

The movie isn’t based in the heart of the Netherlands, but instead, it’s set in a picturesque Michigan town established by Dutch immigrants, characterized by windmills and tulips adorning its streets.

In this quirky backdrop, an unusual tale unfolds, though it takes some unexpected turns as the plot thickens. The role of Nancy Vandergroot, a balanced wife and mother, is portrayed by Kidman. Her seemingly perfect life is on the brink of chaos when she loses one of her pearl earrings, suspecting Candy, Harry’s tutor at 13 (played by Jude Hill, known for his role in Belfast).

However, before long, her focus shifts towards their own garden, as she starts to suspect that her optometrist spouse, Fred (portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen from Succession), might be involved in an affair following his frequent absences due to multiple out-of-town conferences.

Fred, known as a reliable and trusted individual within the community, shares, “I’m the one you can always count on.” When he’s not contributing to the community, Fred enjoys bonding with his son over their shared passion for an elaborate model train set. They even sport matching caps bearing their names.

Can we rely on him, or is there a chance of infidelity? Just like the detective Nancy Drew, Kidman’s character takes on the role of sleuth, enlisting Dave (Gael García Bernal), a woodwork teacher from Mexico working at the local school, to aid her in her investigation.

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If you find this unlikely, they’ll likely start acting mysteriously, wearing sunglasses and baseball caps, all while nurturing feelings for one another.

Initially, it’s challenging to fully empathize with Nancy in the movie, as her character isn’t fully developed until the third act when the story written by Andrew Sodroski begins to lose direction.

Nicole Kidman’s intense performance in this role appears to be somewhat confusing, as she struggles to decide whether to fully commit to comedic elements or to tone them down a bit. At one point, she watches a clip from the beloved movie Mrs. Doubtfire, but it seems like Kidman is attempting to mimic its spirit – an effort that unfortunately doesn’t yield favorable results.

In the late 1990s/early 2000s, a period marked by phone books, microfiche, and ‘Ask Jeeves’ as popular internet search engines, director Mimi Cave (Fresh) crafts an amusing story set against an eccentric Dutch-influenced backdrop. This quirky narrative is filtered through the lens of classic American suburban life.

Incorporating Fred’s model train setup effectively contributes to an eerie ambiance, noticeably within a chilling nightmare scene, but the inconsistent tone and vague purpose sabotages the movie. The film’s message could be a commentary on society or a critique of marriage, yet it remains unclear which one it aims to portray.

In a disturbing turn of events, Dave, the mustached man in Bernal’s setting, encounters hostility from certain individuals who label him as foreign and make derogatory comments like “go back to Mexico” and “leave our women alone.” However, this racial prejudice seems to be a recurring motif in a movie that appears to prioritize aesthetics over meaningful content.

In a storyline that clearly indicates its ending and character trajectories, subtlety is equally important as what’s overtly shown. It’s astonishing how effectively Macfadyen performs in this scenario, delivering an outstanding act that seems almost unbelievable he emerged unscathed.

Despite Cave’s undeniable talent, the narrative eludes her grasp, which is unfortunate. This is particularly disappointing considering the presence of composer Alex Somers (from The Nickel Boys), whose eerie score adds an ominous undertone to the storyline.

Fred repeatedly mentions needing to hit the restart button, yet Cave never does in a movie that struggles to create the surreal ambiance it aims for. Characters ponder if what they experienced was genuine at all. By the finale, does it matter anymore to us?

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2025-03-25 13:05