This epic love story is highly watchable but never really feels substantial enough for you to discuss anything about it after the movie. The story revolves around an inter-racial couple, the Surinamese student Waldemar, who comes to Holland to get a college education and hopefully, lift himself out of poverty, and free-thinking housewife Rika, who leaves her husband after catching him having sex with their maid. The story takes place against a background of prejudice, as the couple find themselves rejected by mainstream society while being helped by outsiders such as Sam, who runs a saloon and gives them a room after they are evicted from their rented house.
The strongest parts of the film are those that take place during WWII, when the Nazis occupied Holland, and Rika and Waldemar find themselves interned in Nazi labor camps. However, the movie never seems to go beyond a depiction of events to give us a deeper insight into the culture of the times. Still, its definitely worth watching for its strong storytelling and good performances.
The strongest parts of the film are those that take place during WWII, when the Nazis occupied Holland, and Rika and Waldemar find themselves interned in Nazi labor camps. However, the movie never seems to go beyond a depiction of events to give us a deeper insight into the culture of the times. Still, its definitely worth watching for its strong storytelling and good performances.