De Zaak Alzheimer (2003)

Yes, I did use the original Dutch title for this film.

Why? Because it is so much better than the generic, bland English title international distributors gave it. Seriously, the English title stinks up to high heaven. Imagine if they just turned it into 'The Alzheimer Case' (which is roughly a literal translation)? Doesn't that pique your interest?

I knew it would.

Also also, the original poster/cover is much better.

But I digress, because we are not always here to talk about stupid decisions by international distributors. Instead, I would like to share with you the fact that this is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best Belgian films ever made.

Feel free to disagree. You would be wrong.

For starters, the material on which this one is based is rock solid. An elderly hitman is hired to take of some business. Part of this involves killing a child, which he refuses. He then becomes hunted himself and decides to 'take out the trash'. In the meantime, his Alzheimer's is rapidly deteriorating, so he is often quite literally lost. Add to that police that are trying to figure everything out and the typical Belgian juxtaposition of several branches of the police force and voila: there you have your story.

The Alzheimer-twist is a great find by author Jef Geeraerts and it is used extremely well here. Because in all fairness, if those involved did not go all the way into making this work, we would have one of those typical Sunday evening flicks that are passable, but nothing special.

Director Erik Van Looy knows his thrillers and police films and goes all out in making this as snappy and exhilarting as any of the high budget Hollywoodfilms. The tension builds nicely and the story flies by at an impressive rate and there never is a dead moment. It is all entertaining and thrilling as fudge.

Especially apt are the main characters and the people that portray them. Sure, the police officers might feel a little underwhelming in the end, but that is for a very good reason and that reason is called Jan Decleir. The man owns the part of hitman Angelo Ledda and if there is one reason you need to see this film, it would be his performance alone. He is both cold, brutal and calculating, yet fragile and scared when he realizes that parts of his memory are missing. The scenes to convey his Alzheimer's are done tastefully and aim to be as disorienting as the affliction itself. No idea if it does feel like that, but it comes across in a believable fashion and that is sometimes all an audience needs.

For those who do not master the language of Dutch and/or French, I would not hesitate to see this all the same. Get over the idea that if there are subtitles, it is not worth your time. This one most definitely is. You will love Jan Decleir all the more. Some say his best role ever was 'Daens'? I heartily disagree and choose this one. Anyone could play a sympathetic priest, not everyone could play a character that is in essence a horrible man and still come across as likeable and realistic.

I also am sure that the stupid English title and flat international poster did nothing to help this film. It deserves so much better and so much more recognition.

Go see it. Now.