Thursday, May 19, 2022

THE COLUMNIST (2019)

 



Directed By: Ivo Van Aart  Written By: Daan Windhorst Cinematography: Martijn Cousijn  Editor: Irme Reutelingsperger & Yamal Stitiou 


Cast: Katja Herbers, Achraf Koutet, Genio De Groot, Rein Hoffman, Claire Porro, Bram Van Der Kelen, Medina Schuurman, Harry Van Ritjthourn 

A columnist must continuously deal with threats and negative comments on her social-media pages. One day, she has had enough and decides to hunt down her trolls.

The film wastes no time in getting right to the point and it’s actions. The film ends up going down like candy-sweet and quickly with very few complaints. 

The film comes off very dry and seems to have no real sensations at all throughout the film. Especially when it comes to presentation.

Feels very lightweight for such a dark comedy. Almost like a TV movie level. Only with plenty of language and violence.

It might have been  stronger if at any point she really has faced a true challenge or more of one in her killings or the immediate aftermath. 

The only other be she seems to face is the older gentleman who at first seems like he could be the easiest.

As she became too common too fast and with very little investigation into these Crimes. So there feels like an absence of any real depth. Especially when the film offers opportunities for it to be more interesting. Like having the daughter act impulsively when thinking her mother’s boyfriend is the killer or having her kill him when believing him to be the killer. Then found out she was wrong when the kills keep happening and then finding out it was her mother or ending the film with the daughter’s Mistake.

In the middle of the movie is the only town where the police really have any questions and she gives them motive and a bit of evidence to build a case if they bothered to really investigate her. 

The killings soon become an obsession. So much so that it takes over her regular responsibilities. Truly showing her character's transformation. The more she kills the more it relieves her mind as it clears her head and gets more writing done. In essence becoming more successful.

As it seems she is all for freedom of speech until it is used against her then she becomes the ultimate censor. At first, she is bullied into being a killer. 

Though without controversy there is less of an audience. The end is a little outlandish as it seems meant to be a message. As the film does have one in a worst-case scenario version. That could be reworked but makes itself loud and clear. 

At first it seems Like it will be open-ended but proceeds especially as there are plenty of witnesses though goes for shock and sensationalism with a warning. 

Her speech might help her and the film to realize what she says about herself goes for the victims also. 

Just as her boyfriend who dresses freaky to get attention as fashion is the more normal put together individual. Whereas she comes off as the more so-called normal one is the crazed killer.

In the end the film feels disposable and hassle-free.

Grade: C+

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