An A-Film Distribution release (in the Netherlands) of a Motel Films production, in association with Vara. Produced by Jeroen Beker, Frans von Gestel. Coproducer, Robert Kievit. Directed, written by Paula van der Oest.
With: Anneke Boes, Jacob Derwig, Olga Zuiderhoek, Rifka Lodeizen, Gijs Scholten van Aschat, Waldemar Torenstra, Jara Lucieer, Bert Geurkink, Sijtze van der Meer, Martijn Nieuwerf, Matteo van der Grijn, Thomas Cammaery, Ria Marks.
A straight-laced bookkeeper and a devil-may-care actress past her prime teach each other lessons about responsibility and life in helmer Paula van der Oest's pleasantly diverting if old-fashioned greasepaint drama "Tiramisu." Unfolding like a "woman's picture" from the 1940s, script predictably plots the rise, fall and knee-dusting rise again of a grand broad with fab thesp friends who has to put her life in order to hold on to the things that really matter. Unapologetically mainstream, pic will do best as a DVD rental, though remake chances with a marquee name could be possible.
Despite another successful opening night for stage star Anne (Anneke Boes, also in helmer's "Zus & Zo"), she's in deep financial straits, no longer able to ignore the foreclosure notice on her houseboat. Refusing to go to ex-hubby Lex (Gijs Scholten van Aschat) for a bailout, she hires stiff accountant Jacob (Jacob Derwig), who gets swept into Anne's glam life and becomes determined to help her hold on, just when she comes to terms with giving up. Thesping is solid and tech credits are strong, but the script needs the cobwebs cleared.
Camera (color, 16mm-to-35mm), Guido van Gennep: editor, Sander Vos; music, Michiel Borstlap; production designer, Harry Ammerlaan; costume designer, Ellen Lens. Reviewed at Rotterdam Film Festival (Sturm und Drang), Jan. 27, 2008. Running time: 81 MIN.
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