Based on the best-selling novel which has been translated into 26 languages, Stricken enjoyed huge success in Holland making over $13 million at the box office. Directed by Reinout Oerlemans and produced by Oscar winning producer Hans de Weer the movie stars internationally acclaimed Carice van Houten (Paul Verhoeven’s Black Book and Valkyrie) as Carmen and Barry Atsma as her husband Stijn.

Stijn lives life to the full. He’s got his own business, a wonderful daughter and Carmen, his beautiful wife. There’s no need for her to know that he occasionally enjoys the pleasures of other women. His heart belongs to Carmen, and that’s all that matters. Their idyllic world is shattered when Carmen goes to the doctor and discovers she has breast cancer. Their life starts to fall apart as they both attempt to deal with the situation in different ways. Though supportive at first, Stijn soon escapes from the new harsh reality into the arms of the sexy, care-free Rose. As she is bravely going through treatment, he is doing the dirty behind her back. The film effectively asks the big question, “Would you have an affair if you knew your partner was dying?”

In a less liberal and sensitive film this infidelity could have been handled clunkyly and made the male character highly unlikeable. He still comes off badly but the whole story, which also deals with other difficult subjects such as euthanasia, is handled with a sensible touch that doesn’t rise to sensationalism. The pair are treated as adults and do as adults do in difficult situations, making this film a breath of fresh air in many respects. It is also a credit to the film makers that the cinematography is very sleek and does not become dreary and morbid as the plot becomes more harrowing. This goes for the music too and scenes of clubbing hedonism sit comfortably next to shots of hospital procedures highlighting the incongruities of both situations.

After the screening there were many emotional audience members still sat in their seats trying to make sense of what they had just witnessed. This impeccably made film highlights unspoken issues that most film-makers are afraid to address properly. Taboo subjects are put in widescreen perspective and thanks to the fantastic cast it all feels much real than it should. There is a fear that this will be “re-made” by the US but it is hopeful this will not be the case as it is a certainty they would destroy the thought provoking aftermath that lasts long after the credits roll.

Source: Film-News.co.uk