Antonia's Line

Rating:
Summary: Sweet & Sublime. (Small minds need not apply.)
Review: This is one of those exquisite films that too many people will overlook because (1) it's a foreign film with English subtitles, and (2) the title and packaging make it look too esoteric. Personally I probably wouldn't have even seen this movie had I not come across it in our local library's nascent DVD collection, from which I was able to check it out for free. I'm so glad I did. "Antonia's Line" was one of the most sweet yet cerebral films I've seen in a long time. It's a 40-odd year "slice o' life" revolving around Antonia, a woman who returns to her little Dutch village, daughter in tow, after the end of World War II. As the years go by, Antonia gathers together a slowly growing extended family that includes some very colorful characters. There are moments of humor, surrealism, and sweet love ... but also moments of ugliness and sadness. Gay audiences will enjoy the matter-of-fact portrayal of a Lesbian couple, and feminists will enjoy the supreme strength of character of Antonia herself. Social conservatives would be advised to look elsewhere; they simply won't understand. When this little film simply ENDED in the way it must, I cried and cried. "Antonia's Line" is a very sweet, sublime film about the cycles of life. It's somewhat slow going at first, but the payoff is rich indeed.

Rating:
Summary: A Delight to Watch
Review: Antonia and her daughter return to their Dutch village after World War II to bury Antonia's mother. The first hint that this is an unconventionial movie is when the corpse sits up and belts out "My Blue Heaven". This movie combines magical realism in a plot of seriousness and intent. Characters with names like Loony Lips, Crooked Finger, and Mad Madonna come and go over the course of the next 50 years as Antonia's extended family grows. After all, this is the story of Antonia's line, or lineage, and an exploration of the mysteries of life and of death.

This is a film in which males are relegated to second-citizen status because the women are just so darn capable and able to mostly get along without men. They do not define themselves through men nor do they depend on them.

The film perfectly captures the extraordinary spirit and the strength of the mother-daughter bond. The women of Antonia's line are strong and loving, good and kind, strong yet gentle. The acting in this film is wonderful....it is a movie I hated to see end.

Rating:
Summary: Oh so plastic
Review: For those who enjoy tired platitutdes and pathetic ironies, this is your movie! By the end of the droning, the key characters pretty much kill themselves off. Apparently, they couldn't take it either.

Rating:
Summary: One of the truly special film events.
Review: I remember seeing this movie in the theatre, first run, knowing nothing about what was to come. I remember thinking as I left, how it was movies like this that made the movies so special. How a story could be so simply, and beautifully told.

There is nothing usual in the world of Antonia. A single mother, she leaves the city with her young daughter to return to the small hamlet that was once her home. It is the time of her mother's death, and Antonia will take over the operation of the now-decrepit farm. She is ill equipped to run a farm at face, yet her force of will and purity of spirit make no task impossible. She is a strong woman, a good woman. She does what has to be done, and uses or finds the necessary tools amongst the chaos at hand.

I believe the English title Antonia's Line (rather than Antonia) refers to the line of people she gathers through her life. This extended family grows from the most unlikely sources. They feast together outdoors weekly at one long table, and as the movie progresses, the size of the table grows and grows to accommodate each and every new member in Antonia's Line.

Antonia is a tale of tales, some mysterious and wonderful, some very basic and also wonderful. And throughout the line grows as Antonia's extended family encompasses more and more endearing souls.

I was hardly surprised when Antonia won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Every time I see this film I find I do not tire of it, and every time I see it I come away feeling better.

Rating:
Summary: Race, gender, and the role of motherhood
Review: Antonia's line is an amazing film about four generations of strong, independent women. While most movies about single mothers stereotype them in both positive and negative ways, Antonia's Line is different. Antonia moves back to the dutch countryside after being away for twenty years. She has to face many difficulties in the town, yet through it all she is a pillar of strength. She knows what she wants, and she acts upon it, regardless of what people think of her. She passes on these same views to her daughter. Antonia's line seems to critique the normal stereotypes by portraying Antonia as a foil to them. Her honesty, and disregard for public opinion sets her apart. The film also works to intersect Antonia's race, culture, gender and class in an amazing web that shapes her character. The influence of Antonia's race is clear in the way that she acts around the people of the town. She explains to her daughter who each person is, and why they act the way that they do. She knows how to handle even the most obnoxious of the town memebers. She is every bit a women, yet she exhaults in her femininity rather than hiding behind it. She makes her opinions and ideas well known. She is not afraid of the judgement that may accompany her views. She entertains suitors, while maintaining an honest attitude about exactly what she wants. She is able to accept her family for who they are without exception. Antonia's Line is a wonderful story with fully developed characters. Antonia and her family portray the true essence of femininity better than any other characters I have seen. Do not let the subtitles stop you. This film is a must see.

Rating:
Summary: A Delight to Watch
Review: Antonia and her daughter return to their Dutch village after World War II to bury Antonia's mother. The first hint that this is an unconventionial movie is when the corpse sits up and belts out "My Blue Heaven". This movie combines magical realism in a plot of seriousness and intent. Characters with names like Loony Lips, Crooked Finger, and Mad Madonna come and go over the course of the next 50 years as Antonia's extended family grows. After all, this is the story of Antonia's line, or lineage, and an exploration of the mysteries of life and of death.

This is a film in which males are relegated to second-citizen status because the women are just so darn capable and able to mostly get along without men. They do not define themselves through men nor do they depend on them.

The film perfectly captures the extraordinary spirit and the strength of the mother-daughter bond. The women of Antonia's line are strong and loving, good and kind, strong yet gentle. The acting in this film is wonderful....it is a movie I hated to see end.

Rating:
Summary: what is the perfect mother anyways???
Review: Antonia's Line directed by Marleen Gorris depicts the women characters as strong women who do not care about what might be lacking in their lives. Each of the characters is their own person and no one could make them feel any less. This film helps to illustrate to young women that they can reject the silly myth of motherhood and as long as they are their own person, they do not need to be thinking of themselves as what is wrong with them.

Antonia's Line, directed by Marleen Gorris, does not accept the stereotypes of ideal mother. As we all know, mothers are always maternal, wanting to be pregnant, heterosexual and have the need to take care of their children. Yeah right! Antonia's Line does an excellent job of criticizing this stereotype by depicting different types of mother-daughter pairings. Letta was the only woman that would support this stereotype while the other mothers diverge. For example Antonia played by Willeke van Ammelrooy, criticizes the idea that mothers should be married because she refuses to give Farmer Baas her hand. She also works on the farm. Danielle diverges from the simple fact that she is a lesbian. Therese criticizes the idea that all mothers are naturally maternal and always want to have children.

This film also does not completely objectify women to the same effect that most films end up doing. Antonia and the other women really do not 'appear' for the men in their lives. The characters are strong women and they just worry about the many generations of women in their family. Antonia and the other women due to their strong characters, I feel, do not have the need to see themselves through the eyes of their male viewers. Antonia cares a great deal for the well being of her family that she has no need to fix herself up and she does not need a husband around to make her 'whole.' She finds nothing wrong with the way that she is living her life or the way she looks. Another thing that this film does that helps to not objectify the women characters is that the audience is not clued into every aspect and thought of these characters lives. This makes them their own person and not a mere cinematic object that bases their views on the idea of men.

This film is a great movie in making one aware of such women's issues.

Rating:
Summary: grrrls and cinema review
Review: Antonia's Line focuses on five generations of Dutch women, who dare to challenge the stereotypes of motherhood. It explores the relationship between mothers and daughters to redefine motherhood in a way that opposes idealized, sacrificing mother-image. Presenting mothers from the same genealogical line but with different approaches to their motherly duties allows the viewer to reconsider her/his conceptions of what being a mother means. The film also confronts the stereotypical father figure and questions the necessity of a 'man in the house'.

Rating:
Summary: Sensitive, Surreal, Humorous, and Inimitable!
Review: ANTONIA'S LINE continues as fresh today as when it was released and awarded Oscars in 1995. This very fine little Dutch film mocks the old adage of 'You can't go back home again' by introducing Antonia and her daughter returning to a village she had abandoned and setting up changes among the odd assortment of townsfolk that initiate a heritage of both wonderful and tragic events, each of which is a parable about family and community. The women rule here, even to the point of deciding to conceive by barter, by compulsion, and by taking arms against the macho power symbols of rape. All manner of variations of normal (spiritually possessed, moon howlers, disillusioned priests, mentally retarded, social outcasts) come under the influence of Antonia's strongly worldwise persona. The results are like a fairy tale for adults, both in content and in the wonderful visual effects. The cast is extraordinary as is the pacing of hte direction. The message of this film endures - it pleads to be viewed regularly.

Rating:
Summary: Dutch Treat!......
Review: This review refers to the Fox Lorber World Class Cinema Collection(letterboxed)DVD edition of "Antonia's Line"....

"Enough is Enough..."...says an old woman rising from her bed as she prepares for her last day on earth. Today will be the day she will die, we find out as the film opens. As Antonia goes about her chores and gathers her family around her, we are treated to a wonderful life affirming tale, and look back at her rich and full life.

This 1995 Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Film(Netherlands) will charm your socks off.It's a comic, sweet, dramatic and uplifting story that I didn't want to end, and wanted to watch it again immediatley.Written and Directed by Marleen Gorris, you'll be captivated by this story, the characters and the beauty of the Dutch countryside from the opening frame to the very last.

Antonia's(Willeke van Ammelrooy)story starts at about mid-life. She is returning with her daughter, to her small village for the funeral of her mother.The time is just post WWII and Antonia is a widow who is her own woman. She is on her own,with an independent nature and lots of heart.As the years pass, Antonia's line of charming and fascinating family members grow from her own bloodline and the townspeople that just couldn't help but be drawn to her.Each is special in their own way and is very much a part of Antonia's life.They are characters that will have smiling and will draw you into their stories.

This Letterboxed DVD presents a fabulous picture and excellent sound(Stereo surround). The subtitles are all in the black bar area(which is at the bottom of the picture only)and are clear and distinct. There are filmographies, some production credits and a trailer.
There are two editions sold, if you want the letterboxed be sure to look for one that has the "World Class Cinema" written next to the image on the front.

A wonderful film that shines the light on family and friendship, but not one for the whole family. There are several scenes with strong sexual content.

Go Dutch Treat....and enjoy.....Laurie --This text refers to the DVD edition