Leak (2000) User Reviews

Excitement plus in this slick police thriller

[raymond-15 · 7/10 · 31 May 2004]

Eddy ( Cas Jansen) a young policeman is happily partnered with Ria (Ricky Koole). They seek advice from Family Planning in the hope that they may produce a baby in the very near future. Advice is given with surprising frankness. Eddy's job demands so much night work that interferes with his personal life and the dangerous nature of his work adds further difficulties to their relationship.

Young Eddy of short stature is referred to by his buddies as "Tom Thumb on Viagra". This amusing remark is one of the few moments of relief in this intense drama. The opening torture scene exemplifies the types of characters Eddy is forced to face in his police work.

Eddy is a likeable character and projects a genuine feeling of love and affection towards Ria. Unfortunately, a chance meeting with Jack an acquaintance of his infant years draws him into a web of underworld characters dealing in contraband drugs. They say that crime does not pay, but it seems that Jack has all the things in life that Eddy can only dream about.

The film requires a good deal of concentration because many of the bearded thugs look similar. The drama is well-paced and Jack's empty and prolonged fits of laughter are both threatening and spine-chilling.

Eddy gets to drive a fast Lamborghini Diablo fulfilling one of his boyhood dreams and a baby is delivered in a strange and unexpected way. Great stuff.

Decent Dutch genre movie.

[libertyvalance · 7/10 · 23 May 2001]

I must say I quite enjoyed this film from Jean van de Velde. His script is far from original, to be sure, but it has a lot going for it. Victor Löw is entertaining as the driven friend from hell whose reappearance in a young policeman's life changes the destination of all concerned. Cas Jansen has the innocent looks his character requires and, although a bit tame in the beginning, he gets better as the film progresses to its inevitable violent conclusion. There are several more than adequate action scenes for the fans to enjoy: my favourite is the one where two hitmen chase the young cop through an animal sanctuary where he is forced to use the cover of some horses to get away clean. Production values are above standard although you better don't hold your breath if you want to wait for some original camerawork. The attraction of Lek, I believe, lies in the director's willingness to give the audience what it wants. There are some nasty, violent set pieces that will delight the hard core cop thriller freaks. As far as brainless entertainment goes, this is as good as anything made in Hong Kong these days.

"Race" to survive

[Mladen Radic · 8/10 · 14 July 2001]

`Leak' starts with one of the best opening scenes I have seen in last few years. At first, it seems it's just another way to spend some movie tape and to add some length. But then we realize what's goin' on. And then becomes shocking. So is the whole movie: starts like some easy pop song but ends in a hardcore rhythm.

The story is about corruption in police. Two main characters, one policeman and one criminal are different, of course, but they have one thing in common: they had been good friends one time ago. So, they meet again, and the race begins. The race to survive. Who'll be the lucky one? There is a thin line that's just waiting to be crossed…

If you like American movies too much, you may be disappointed. Well, yes, there is lot of action goin' round but there are no super heroes in this movie, no dirty harrys, no almighty gunmen, no immortal avengers who enjoy their revenge more than everything. This film is not made for fun. This is a European movie, strong and realistic.

I saw this movie in an old fortress, it was 1.30 a. m. when the movie started and after one hour I wanted to go home because everything started to look too familiar. Fortunately, I didn't leave.

'Lek' is (one of) the best movie of 2000

[k_luifje · 6 March 2002]

Jean van der Velde never had a problem with soapactors acting in his films, although the Dutch critics (and in the early nineties when soaps where introduced in The Netherlands, almost everybody involved in so called serious acting) didn't approve this. But Jean van der Velde put Antonie Kamerling (Peter Kelder in the first Dutch soap 'Goede tijden , slechte tijden') in his 'De Kleine Blonde Dood' (1993) and the critics adored Kamerling. In 'All Stars' (1997) Kamerling stars again in a Van der Velde movie. The public loved this picture so much that the film got a televisionseries for three seasons.

And in 'Lek' (2000) we find Cas Jansen (Julian Verduyn in 'Goede tijden Slechte tijden') in the lead role, with Thomas Acda (also All Stars).

Again the critics were stunned by the performance given by an ex-soapie. Some critics even said more people should have seen it in the cinema. But the public didn't really feel like seeing it in the cinema (this happened to a lot of good or at least fair Dutch movies).

That's a real shame, because 'Lek' is (one of) the best movie of 2000.

The story about a cop who wants to make a promotion, runs a criminal informant and gets in more trouble than he could ever imagine, is entertaining, topical (because of the Dutch IRT-affair, also with criminal informants) and believable. This is because the script is not just about shooting, shouting and killing people in a horrible way, but also about humans.

All the main characters develop themselves: Eddy (Cas Jansen) starts as a young greenhorn and in the end he's as tough as can be. Jack (Victor Low) used to be a criminal, but when he becomes father he wants to get out. And it turns out that Franco, Eddy's partner at the police department (played by Thomas Acda) uses his jokes to make some sort of protection shield for himself. The only main character not really developing is Ria (played by pretty girl-next-door Ricky Koole), Eddy's girlfriend. She is no more than a loving, sweet, good-looking woman providing the location for the final quite spectacular scene of the film. So except for Ria, everybody develops.

Besides the story and the more-dimensional side of the characters there is another thing making 'Lek' a stunning film: The dialogues. For instance, at the moment Jack becomes Eddy's informant Jack says: 'When I sneeze, you'll catch a cold.' (In the original Dutch version: Als ik moet niezen, wordt jij verkouden Edje). Also the dialogue between Eddy and Franco, when Franco thinks Eddy is being a corrupt policeman, is a must see. Franco: You screw your wife, you laugh with your mates and you kneel for God. Eddy, doesn't understand: Huh. Franco: Not the other way 'round: never kneel for your wife, laugh with God and screw your mates. (in Dutch it sound better: Franco: Met je vrouw naai je, met je maten lach je en voor God kniel je. Eddy: Hé? Franco: Niet andersom: nooit knielen voor je vrouw, lachen met God en je maten naaien.) And there are more good one-liners in this film.

One of the best things about the movie is that it is original in many ways. The killing of a traitor (?) to Haveman in the very first scene in the film, is not an ordinary one, but a very inventive killing, which you don't forget as fast as in other films where someone is being eliminated.

Another scene you won't forget is the one were Jack is with his baby-girl and his Lambourgini, cursing to the mother of the child because she is shouting at the kid. Then Jack makes her go away and he explains to Eddy that 'the bitch' should have respect for the little one. In a strange way, Jack's emotions really touch the viewer at this moment. This happens in more scenes and gives Jack (always carrying the baby around with him, even when he's shooting!) an emotional, believable character and it gives the movie definitely a surplus value.

The only thing not that good about the movie is the almost last scene in Ria's animal shelter where eddy is being hunted. This kind of scenes (where the hero of the story shows the public he's an animal lover by rescuing a few and he can dodge bullets and fires like the best) are not new and this particular one isn't renewing.

But that is the only blemish on this very fine film.

great first 30 min,original idea, annoying main characters

[pieterluxman · 6/10 · 4 July 2020]

This movie started awesome, in Tarantino way. First 30 min were fun, good action.

But then the story takes over, and the 2 main characters are just annoying whiners that are boring to watch (definitely no kickass action characters)

6/10 for the effort

Nice plot, nice acting, nice filming, nice movie

[JoostB · 7/10 · 18 May 2001]

Lek is a fun movie to watch. Nice plot, nice acting, nice filming. No more no less. So if you're doing Dutch lessons just to see this movie, reconsider. If your Dutch go see it, it's one of the better Dutch movies.

Finally something that could compete with 'Amsterdamned' !?

[mhtopper · 7/10 · 20 April 2001]

Lek is quite a good movie, for Dutch ratings that is. After a nice, start where a karaoke night isn't what is seems, the film needs about three quarters of an hour to built up the plot, which is less interesting. One of the things I thought that made the film good is the subject of problems in policesquads. Which in Holland had been a actual debate in 1998 or so. Second thing is the thrilling last 45 minutes with some surprising storylines. All together a movie you´d best watch on video at home, with the curtains closed!

best Dutch movie in my opinion!

[sevenof9 · 8/10 · 29 March 2001]

I'm not a fan of Dutch movies. This one is different. The actors actually act well and I wasn't bored one single minute. Finally not a dumb or "empty" (no good story line whatsoever) film. Bravo!

See it if you have the chance.

[Jellybel · 9/10 · 7 September 2003]

This is a good movie. The built-up tension is very exciting. The acting is good, especially by Victor Low. But as a Dutch person, it's also more exciting because you can really recognize the way people behave and the situations that arise. Because it all looks and sounds so familiar, you just identify with it more. It's strange because you see so many of these dangerous and scary situations being performed in English but not in Dutch. So when you see it in a familiar environment and in Dutch, it's just more creepy. But also a good movie in itself.

Steeply downhill ride from awesome opening sequence

[cpu-4 · 4/10 · 27 January 2019]

I was a bit surprised to see almost exclusively positive reviews of this flic here. "Lek" has its moments, but the only scene I found truly entertaining was the brilliant opening sequence, which tellingly did not feature the lead character.

Many Dutch movies suffer from a fixed pool of actors, who either act like they are in a play on a stage, or are picked from TV soaps, with accordingly lacking acting skills and altogether boring personalities and screen presence. The latter certainly applies to Cas Jansen, who plays the lead as an incredibly unconvincing Amsterdam cop. Both he and his girlfriend were mostly cringey to watch. Not for a moment could I see past the middle class white actor kids that they are.

Some of the criminals were fun, and some action sequences were mildly entertaining, but when the main characters are boring dweeps unconvincingly playing parts that so obviously are lightyears away from their own reality, you can forget about suspension of disbelief.

To end of a positive nite: for a vastly superior Dutch crime movie check out "De dominee" (2004).

Exciting, fast paced, alluring

[rdoves · 20 May 2000]

Having seen a lot of Dutch movies, Lek was a total surprise. Though I'm not a police movie affectionado I found this film very exciting. Acting was fabulous and the use of locations very refreshing. Thumbs up for the actors and everybody else involved in this production. Dutch movie goes international!!

Great Dutch movie

[cees212 · 9/10 · 11 July 2002]

Finally a great Dutch movie. Here in the Netherlands we usually make boring movies about nothing or people talking about nothing. This movie has good actors and good action without being stupid. Go rent it. I don't know if you can rent it in every country. I hope so.

Gritty Dutch thriller

[ZzZinc1895 · 8/10 · 23 March 2017]

The film is based on a book about corruption in the Amsterdam police department by an ex-detective. Thus showing that reality is often more crazy than what we imagine.

It all starts innocently enough when police officer Eddy is asked to get in touch with his childhood friend Jack, who is now on the other side of the law. But everything soon spins out of control.

Director Jean van de Velde has a tight grip on the story. He is helped by a good script that manages to bring a few nice twists to a well-known formula. He also has a good cast. Especially Ton Kas as sinister gangster boss and Victor Löw as gangster with strong paternal feelings.

The best Dutch film I have ever seen

[Z.v.d.V · 9/10 · 1 November 2000]

This one is a must see. Lek is, together with Karakter (known as Character in the US), my favorite Dutch movie. It has all the ingredients to make it a success. The movie itself is for commercial purpose. It isn't another boring "cultural" art-film like most Dutch films turn out to be. It's well written. Has suspense and action. Great Characters, like "sjakie" played by Victor Löw. The story itself isn't that original, but it's never been used so original in a Dutch movie. Lek is the new standard for Dutch Action Thrillers!

Good Dutch movie

[liou · 29 April 2000]

To be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Dutch films in my live.

Here in Holland, it appears like Dutch films aren't very appreciated. They tend to be long, symbolic and boring. None of these characteristics apply to this new movie though! It's a police thriller about a freshman police guy (Cas Jansen) who gets involved in a 'leak' affair and has no idea how to get out of this. No real original story here, but it is enjoyable. I found the supporting actors more interesting. Cas' criminal friend 'Sjakie' is played remarkably well and Cas' partner, Thomas Acda, gives the film a touch of humor. All in all, I enjoyed this movie a lot although it doesn't compare to Hollywood-counterparts, but can you ask this from a Dutch

Beautiful movie, I'm impressed

[atlantique · 10/10 · 24 May 2000]

This movie shows characters that are not archetypes, who have a life of their own, and who are not here for the sake of a "message" the scenario would carry. The image doesn't stand in the way, the acting is sharp and convincing, and the storytelling elegant. The movie (and especially the end) reminded me very much of Jean-Patrick Manchette novels--a very positive connection for me!! It earns easily a place among the very best films I've seen, and is a beautiful example of what I consider typical European film-making. In a nutshell: I loved it, and hope that it will enjoy a wide diffusion.

Another Film from Flatland

[joughin · 22 September 2004]

I live in Amsterdam, and it's interesting to read all the critical Dutch comments on this film and on Dutch Film in general. The camera-work, as usual, was OK here, but I couldn't get involved in the plot, if that's the right word for the sequence of scenes. I felt as though I was standing outside and watching the film go by. Not even the loud music and some fast editing could draw me in. Why?

I have a theory. Holland is 2-dimensional. Flat. Images anywhere are flat, as Mondriaan reminded us, but people who live in 3 dimensions build narratives, with flat images, in a 3-dimensional space or rather, in a 4-dimensional spacetime. They see images in a sort of deeper landscape, with a sense, an idea, of other things in the foreground and background – the images have depth, 'meaning', which can be organized in a complicated pattern and dynamic, a plot. The Dutch simply can't do this, and their attempts to construct stories in 3 dimensions always seem amateurish, childish. They can't build a story into which you can enter. Some people - even some Dutch people - say: 'they have no imagination'.

They make some great documentaries, and they have some good cameramen and women. But they can't do fiction, which articulates images in the play of imagination. Documentary makers, even some wayward filmmakers like Paul Verhoeven, can turn this around and make a virtue of the problem. They can build a collage of images into something like a question, or an ironical game, leaving the third dimension, the meaning or depth, radically open in ways that people living in 3 dimensions find very difficult to do, because 'normal' people are always themselves caught up in the play of meaning from the outset, unable to stand radically outside it.

I guess the best thing would be for the Flatlanders to recognize their strengths and their limitations, and stop trying to make 'normal' films like this one. But to do this would require a lot of imagination….