rating:
(out of
4 stars)The Netherlands; 2004
Directed by Eddy Terstall; produced by Imko Nieuwenhuijs; screenplay by Eddy Terstall
Starring Cees Geel, Marcel Hensema, Rifka Lodeizen, Nadja Hüpscher, Daan Ekkel, Dirk Zeelenberg
'Simon' tells the story of the straight Simon (Cees Geel) and his gay-friend Camiel (Marcel Hensema). The film opens in 1988, Holland. Simon hits Camiel with his car and drives him to a nearby hospital. After Camiel has revealed he is gay Simon replies with 'better you than me,' and we know what kind of guy Simon is. Although Simon is pretty hard on Camiel, especially with his gay-comments, they become friends. Their story of friendship is moving and sad, although it comes in one hilarious package.
Simon owns a hash bar (in Holland we call it a "coffee shop"), has a girl named Sharon (Rifka Lodeizen), and two kids (one girl, one boy) with an ex-wife in Thailand. Once a year Simon and his friends all go to Thailand because Simon has things to do there. Since Camiel is part of the group he joins them. Unexpected things happen on the island and Camiel and Simon stop seeing each other.
The film shifts to 2002 where the real story starts. Camiel and Simon meet again, ironically because Simon almost hits Camiel with his car. Simon reveals he has cancer and is dying. Things have changed in fourteen years. Camiel is living with a man named Bram (Dirk Zeelenberg). Simon's kids have moved to Holland since their mother died, and are now in their teens. Sharon is married with another guy but is still friends with Simon. The friendship is renewed and becomes even better than before. Everyone around Simon knows his end is inevitable and when he announces euthanasia they, and Simon, have to prepare themselves for it.
Since this is a Dutch film, there is quite some nudity and sex. The good thing here is that both really have a purpose. One sex-scene in particular (it includes Simon and Camiel not in the way you might think) gives us one of the biggest laughs in the film. There are also a lot of jokes about gay people but I guess no one should be offended. Simon, who makes most of the jokes, means things well and I have to admit that basically every gay related joke is funny. Of course it helps that Simon is one of the most lovable rude characters I have seen. Like the rude Jack Nicholson in 'Terms of Endearment', another movie that ends with a deathbed, you just have to like him.
A lot of credit has to go to Cees Geel. If this was an American film his performance would be Oscar-nominated. In fact, this was the Dutch film to compete for Best Foreign Language Film over the year 2004. In my opinion it should have been nominated. The subjects of 'Simon' are handled in a terrific way but they are probably too heavy, or probably more so, handled too honest for some parts of the American audience. I am not sure since the Academy nominated Dutch movie 'Zus & Zo' in 2003 and that also dealt with pretty heavy material in the form of a comedy.
A comedy, that is what 'Simon' is. It has the same amount of laughs as the best Hollywood-comedies. When the film comes near the inevitable end it avoids the stupid melodramatic scenes and even knows how to stay funny. The beauty of 'Simon' is that it doesn't really asks for laughs or tears, it tells a story of extraordinary people and it simply gets them. 'Simon' is one of the best films of 2004. It is original, moving, funny and contains one of the best performances I have seen in a long time.