Mimi Cave’s “Holland” could have been the perfect vehicle for Nicole Kidman to showcase her ability to play quirky, complex characters. Instead, it falls short, offering glimpses of brilliance but ultimately failing to capitalise on Kidman’s talents. In a film that promises suspense, we find ourselves yearning for more — more weirdness, more eccentricity, and a much stronger focus on the main character’s idiosyncrasies.
So, why is “Holland” ultimately a missed opportunity, and how does Nicole Kidman’s performance manage to shine amidst all the mediocrity?
The Promise of a Unique Thriller
From the get-go, “Holland” sets out to be a twist-filled thriller. The film, starring Nicole Kidman as Nancy Vandergroot, a mother in a sleepy Midwestern town, teases audiences with the notion of a dark, psychological exploration of jealousy, trust, and betrayal. Nancy’s fear that her husband Fred (Matthew Macfadyen) is cheating on her sends her down a path of obsession. She enlists the help of her friend Dave (Gael García Bernal), and the two hatch a plan to snoop around Fred’s office, looking for evidence of his infidelity.
Despite the film’s potential for tension, suspense, and deep psychological exploration, “Holland” never fully delivers. Instead, the movie remains oddly restrained and predictable, leading to a sense of frustration for anyone hoping for the kind of unpredictable twists that make thrillers so captivating.
Nicole Kidman: The Quirky Heart of “Holland”
One of the saving graces of “Holland” is Nicole Kidman’s performance. Kidman has built a career on playing complex, sometimes oddball characters, and she brings that same energy to the role of Nancy. However, the film doesn’t fully exploit her potential. There are moments in the movie when Kidman’s ability to transform into a truly bizarre character shines through, particularly in a scene involving a Danish pastry. Her reaction to a chocolate cruller, delivered with a peculiar mix of enthusiasm and surprise, is genuinely the best moment of the film, leaving audiences laughing and rooting for more of these moments.
But here’s the thing: Kidman is capable of so much more than this fleeting, weird, yet brilliant moment. The film spends much of its time focusing on a weak, predictable plot that doesn’t allow Kidman’s eccentricities to fully take flight.
The Film’s Biggest Miss: Not Leaning Into the Weirdness
“Holland” could have been a film about an absolutely bonkers, yet relatable character in Nancy Vandergroot. Kidman excels at playing weird — her previous roles in films like “The Others,” “To Die For,” and “The Stepford Wives” demonstrate her natural ability to make us laugh, cringe, and empathise with her characters’ quirks. But the script fails to lean into these eccentricities.
Instead of giving Kidman free rein to make Nancy into the unapologetically odd character she was meant to be, director Mimi Cave seems more interested in maintaining a veneer of normality. There are attempts at suspense, with dream sequences and a mystery around Fred’s apparent infidelity, but these attempts fall flat. The audience quickly sees through the plot, and the film fails to build the tension it so desperately wants to.
A Lackluster Script Drags the Film Down
At the heart of the film’s failure is the script by Andrew Sodroski. Although “Holland” was hailed as a top script on the Black List, it’s clear that the original material is in need of serious refinement. The mystery at the core of the film is too thin to sustain interest, and the attempted twists are painfully predictable. The pacing is slow, and the narrative feels bogged down by unnecessary scenes, like Nancy crawling through her husband’s belongings in search of evidence of his infidelity. These moments feel forced, drawn out, and ultimately leave the audience impatient.
Furthermore, the film struggles with inconsistent tone. It occasionally leans into comedy, with Kidman’s offbeat performance carrying the weight of these moments, but the script doesn’t seem to know whether it’s trying to be a dark comedy, a thriller, or a psychological drama. Instead of finding a unique balance, the film oscillates uncomfortably between these genres, making it difficult for the audience to engage fully.
The 2000s Setting: A Vintage Touch That Doesn’t Quite Work
One of the few intriguing aspects of “Holland” is its setting. Cave intentionally chose to place the story in 2000, which gives the film a period-specific feel. With references to early cell phones, video rentals, and Windows desktop computers, it’s a nod to a simpler time, making the suspicions of infidelity harder to prove in the absence of modern technology.
But while this setting offers some interesting aesthetic choices, it doesn’t do enough to enhance the story or the characters. Instead, it feels like a quirky attempt to distract from the underwhelming script. The film’s vintage style might be nostalgic for some viewers, but it’s a thin layer of charm that can’t mask the lack of depth in the overall narrative.
What Could Have Been: The Potential for a Stronger Film
Despite the film’s flaws, “Holland” presents an intriguing question: What would have happened if the film had fully embraced its weirdness? If Cave had allowed Kidman to let loose and take the character of Nancy in a more eccentric direction, the film could have been far more enjoyable. Instead, it feels like a missed opportunity to explore the weird, wonderful qualities that Kidman has perfected in her career.
At its best, “Holland” is a showcase for Kidman’s ability to embody a strange, offbeat character. But at its worst, it’s a frustrating, predictable thriller that fails to live up to its potential.
Conclusion: A Flicker of Potential in a Mediocre Film
In the end, “Holland” is a film that never fully embraces the quirky, eccentric energy that Nicole Kidman brings to the screen. Despite a few standout moments, it’s ultimately a frustrating experience for viewers who were hoping for something more unique and unpredictable. If the film had allowed Kidman’s weirdness to run wild, we might have had something truly special. Instead, we’re left with an underwhelming thriller that doesn’t live up to its potential.
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Photo credit: Daily Mail
