Black Book (2006)

Paul Verhoeven returns to his native Netherlands after two decades directing English language films in this World War II thriller, loosely based in fact. Carice Van Houten is absolutely fantastic in her breakout role as Rachel Stein, who joins the Dutch resistance after her family is brutally gunned down by the Nazis during an attempt to flee their home. Rachel is given the task of infiltrating the regional Gestapo headquarters, becoming close to SD commander, Muntze. Verhoeven expertly weaves the idea of identity into the narrative, playing with the idea that good and evil isn’t as black and white as it seems. What makes Black Book so engrossing is its constant excitement and tension, playing out like a thriller but maintaining all of Verhoeven’s traits of violence and eroticism. The film is essentially a glossy Naziploitation film whose gleeful self awareness raises it way above the film that it would have been had it been directed by anyone else. It’s not up there with Verhoeven’s absolute finest; the final quarter drags the film out slightly in a stretch that slows the narrative down dramatically from its frenetic middle section. But the enjoyment and genuine excitement gained from the utter blast that is the first three quarters of the film ensure that you still leave the film with a smile on your face; no mean feat considering the films heavy subject matter. 7.8/10