 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Black Book
- Review Date: September 24, 2007
- R
- Genre: Thriller
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Mature WWII drama taps into base human instinct.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this subtitled World War II drama from the director of Basic Instinct is intense from start to finish. Wartime takes its toll on all the characters, robbing them of their humanity. The lead character, Rachel/Ellis, sleeps with the enemy to infiltrate their turf, and people are dispensed with as the killers see fit. The violence is frequent and bloody, the sex is quite graphic, and characters swear, drink, and smoke.
What's the story?
BLACK BOOK chronicles the survival journey of Rachel Stein (Carice van Houten), a Jewish chanteuse who becomes a spy for the Dutch Resistance after her entire family is slaughtered by the Nazis. Rachel goes undercover to seduce a Gestapo officer (Sebastian Koch) so she can gain access to his office and plant a microphone there. But is the enemy truly an enemy? And are her comrades to be trusted?
Is it any good?
No question about it: Paul Verhoeven's Black Book (aka Zwartboek) is a World War II thriller that still manages to surprise -- no small thing, considering how many like it have been made. Van Houten is outstanding -- courageous and conflicted, bold and vulnerable, her emotions accessible through a simple gesture (the tilt of her head, the slump in her walk) or even a flick of her eyes. She's incandescent in every frame, even when she's covered entirely in feces (a scene that's disturbing in its plainness and cruelty).
The plot's somewhat rudimentary feel hobbles the storytelling. And, except for the leads, the characters are obviously good or bad, even when the filmmaker thinks he's being subtle. But objections like that aside, what's left is a movie that proves that Verhoeven's talent is bigger than Showgirls and Basic Instinct. The last few minutes, which capture a post-war Ellis (now back to Rachel) in an idyll as far removed from tragedy as can be, are actually moving.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the film's notions of good and evil. Are "bad guys" and "good guys" clearly delineated? Should they be? Also, what drives Ellis to place herself in the line of fire? Is it altruism or revenge? How could she fall in love with a Nazi, when Nazis killed her family? What drives a person to betray others for their own gain? Families also can discuss what this movie has in common, if anything, with director Paul Verhoeven's earlier, infamously sensationalistic films, like Basic Instinct and Showgirls. Does it share any characteristics with those movies? Do you think filmmakers have a certain style that affects all of their projects?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
December 8, 2009
AGE
What other families should know:
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Teen, 17 years old
June 1, 2009
AGE
Definitely not for
Very good movie, but at almost 17, I was very disturbed and covered my eyes a lot. There are scenes of graphic nudity and graphic violence, etc. Not for kids.
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Parent of 10 and 11 year old
September 19, 2009
AGE
Great movie for Adults, definitely not for kids
Good movie (for adults) about a Dutch Jewish woman losing her family to the Nazis and working undercover with the Dutch resistance. Very violent, lots of graphic nudity that may make teens uncomfortable. it's a gripping tale, engrossing, dark. But definitely not for your kids.
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Excellent movie, but parents be warned - the nudity is graphic. That's probably my one complaint about Black Book - some of the nudity felt gratituous. Aside from that, a fantastic and completely engrossing movie. Definitely a must-see if you're not too offended by nudity.
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
The somber story of WWII reduced to a popcorn flick
Palu Vorhefen, who brought us Starship Troopes and Total Recall has now returned to his roots as a Dutch filmaker. And yet, not much as changed. The film really reminded me of starship Troopers: It is very entertaining and engrossing. It is fun. Just like Starship Troopers, there are hints at much deeper, darker, areas that the film chooses not to explore. But that's fine. We have seen the respectful, somber take on WWII many man times. Black Book offers a nice relief.
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| Studio: | A-Film |
| Director: | Paul Verhoeven |
| Cast: | Carice Van Houten, Sebastian Koch, Thom Hoffman |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 135 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 4, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | September 25, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong violence, graphic nudity, sexuality and language. |
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