Chez Nous is the type of place where anything goes. A haven for people the proprietor of a neighbouring establishment calls “weird characters”, it makes its meagre trade from a contingent of small but loyal patrons, all revelling in the friendly atmosphere, the kindness of long-term owner, Adje (John Leddy, Urfeld), and in nightly drag shows. To performer Bertie (Alex Klaasen, Matterhorn), barmaid Babette (Tina de Bruin, Viper’s Nest), lawyer Peter-Jan (Frederik Brom, Danni Lowinski), and regulars Gijs (Thomas Acda, Wonderbroeders) and Rachid (Achmed Akkabi, Moordvrouw), it is more than just a watering hole – it is their home. Like many a source of solace, however, sadly its future is far from secure, with financial difficulties threatening to force its closure.
Like setting, like film in Queen of Amsterdam, a feature better known by the name of the central bar in non-English language countries. The action-comedy hybrid apes its inclusive setting, throwing everything that it can into a narrative that embraces messiness over subtlety. Director Tim Oliehoek (Pizza Maffia) and writers Frank Houtappels (Dr. Ellen) and Joan Nederlof’s (Iedereen is gek op Jack) feature is a happy hodgepodge of every underdog story moviegoers have seen before, but never tries to indicate otherwise. With entertainment and an uplifting adventure the name of the game, the film simply tries to make all of the well-meaning mayhem work.
Accordingly, expect a coming-out story, a family reunion and a David versus Goliath battle on several fronts. Also included are health woes, marital disharmony and fighting for a cause, plus reminders that life is fleeting and contentment is hard earned. Add a fledgling romance, a turf war and a clash of culture and class in more ways than one, as well as heist hijinks that riff on Mission: Impossible, gay pride festivities and a message of acceptance and understanding. The frantic assemblage is wrapped up in a feature never burdened by a lack of subplots, complete with broad jokes and a similarly wide-ranging approach.
Such varying, veering components shouldn’t come together nicely – which explains why, sometimes, they don’t. Manic energy pulsates through the film, Queen of Amsterdam only ever operating in affectionate or over-the-top modes. Performances from the ensemble cast prove the grounding element the material needs, offering earnest emotion underneath the exaggerated antics. The feature oozes a calculated kind of chaos designed to lose audiences in the comic caper and elicit warmth in the collection of characters, though it is the latter that proves its strength.
Indeed, it is the people rather than the premise that viewers become invested in, with the actors clearly relishing their madcap journey. A sense of fun ripples through bright imagery and upbeat songs as well, the film demonstrating the same playfulness in its technique and construction. Never is the movie better than when bringing its escapades to a predictable but aesthetically and emotionally satisfying finale, a fitting culmination for a film of grand gestures and modest charms. Neither linger, nor can they given the over-stuffed yet slight content they spring from, but the liveliness is enjoyable while it lasts.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Queen of Amsterdam (Chez Nous)
Director: Tim Oliehoek
The Netherlands, 2013, 98 mins
Melbourne Queer Film Festival
www.mqff.com.au
March 19 – 30
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