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Spetters (1980)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 7/25

7/25: Turks fruit or...Spetters?

Both are daring and sexually explicit, but I have to go with the latter which means "splashes" or "hunk/babe" in Dutch. It's certainly Paul Verhoeven's best film because the themes are more broad through motocross racing, paralysis (a very common outcome in the sport), homosexuality, opportunism, gay bashing, rape, hypocrisy in religion, and suicide.

Some have compared the film to Saturday Night Fever and Quadrophenia. That's a valid point. Even there are a poster of John Travolta in the caravan and a reference to the disco scene. These three deal with young adults trying to take advantage of the moment in a reckless manner. When trouble happens, it forces them to stop and face the consequences.

There are many terrific performances. The standouts are Hans van Tongeren who ironically killed himself soon after, Toon Agterberg, and Renée Soutendijk as Rien, Eef, and Fientje, respectively. It's nice to see Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbé again, but they don't have major roles in the film which doesn't bother me. The only issue is all females wear too much makeup. Perhaps it's an intentional reflection of the title: pretty on the outside, dog food inside just like the croquettes.

All in all, because of Turks fruit, Soldaat van Oranje, and Spetters, Paul Verhoeven is a genius director.

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