It’s risky calling a film Tiramisu. It’s a bit like calling something ‘trifle’ or ‘sweet mush’. A free kick to reviewers. The texture is important in a really good tiramisu. It’s all in the savoiardi biscuits and really good quality mascarpone cheese. Tiramisu could have gone either way – sweet mush or something a bit more satisfying. While it teetered for a while, director Paula van der Oest avoided the most predictable narratives to produce a satisfying light drama. It’s billed as a comedy by MIFF; perhaps the Dutch language made it funnier than I could see.
The film is a two hander; ageing actress and straight-laced accountant. The most predictable of line-ups. Two characters come to appreciate each others strengths and become different, fuller, happier people as a result. These films are a dime a dozen. What made a difference was Anneke Blok, who played the actress. She gave the role dignity, nuance and a mix of vulnerability and resilience that took the film beyond the expected. The film played lightly with the theme of damage. Blok’s character, her skin damaged through age and sun, her life damaged through bad decisions. Her daughter physically damaged. Jacob Derwig, who plays the accountant Jacob, whose marriage has been blighted by caution; the film delicately explores the ideas of risk and passion.
Van der Oest’s willingness to upset the traditional narrative also added the requisite amount of texture. An added bonus was the setting; a canal boat in Amsterdam; lovely to see aspects of a country seldom seen in films viewed here. Its not a great film but not fluffy either.
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