Rotterdam

Nothing to Lose

 (Netherlands)

By JAY WEISSBERG

An Independent Films release of a Pupkin Film, BNN production. (International sales: High Point Films, London.) Produced by Pieter Kuijpers, Sander van Meurs, Andre Teelen. Executive producer, Iris Otten. Directed by Pieter Kuijpers. Screenplay, Paul Jan Nelissen, Kuijpers.
 
With: Theo Maassen, Lisa Smit, Flip Filz, Bob Schwarze, Roos Ouwehand, Pim Lambeau, Sacha Bulthuis, Jobst Schnibbe, Pieter Embrechts, Romana Vrede, Martijn de Rijk, Ria Marks, Kevin Llewellyn, Bing Wiersma, Karst Woudstra, Menno van Beekum, Yale Sackman, Thomas Deelen, Mike Meijer.
 

A convicted murderer and sex offender breaks out of a prison for the criminally insane in the tense psychological thriller "Nothing to Lose." Toying with shifting determinations of guilt and innocence, helmer Pieter Kuijpers ("Off Screen") builds scenes well but periodically spoils credibility with unlikely action. (Are the Dutch and Belgian police really that incompetent?) Greatly assisted by star Theo Maassen's chilling believability, the pic should play well in Benelux multiplexes, and Stateside remake potential is a distinct possibility.

When the parole board denies his request, Johan (Maassen, best known at home as a stand-up comic) breaks out of jail with the idea of getting his mother (Sacha Bulthuis) to testify favorably on his behalf. Mom's not home, but a deadly visit to granny (Pim Lambeau) provides her address in Belgium. (Shouldn't the cops be there already?) On the way, he kidnaps 13-year-old Tessa (Lisa Smit), who falls prey to Stockholm syndrome even after he blows Mom away for calling him crazy. A tense tunnel stand-off is broken by a far-fetched journalist free-for-all, but Maassen's unmannered desperation never loses its hold. Sharp editing doesn't need the overly ominous bass.

Camera (color), Bert Pot; editor, Annelien van Wijnbergen; music, Paleis van Boem; production designer, Elsje de Bruijn; costume designer, Sabine Snijders. Reviewed at Rotterdam Film Festival (Time & Tide), Jan. 29, 2008 (Also in Berlin Film Festival -- market.) Original title: TBS. Running time: 90 MIN.