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A different way of telling a story

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Originally, it was the intention to make a film script only, but Ventoux became a novel. The novel was released before the movie, more than two years ago now. Apparently it costs that much time to realize a movie. The novel is really a big achievement of Bert Wagendorp, who basically is a (cycling) journalist. It is well written, touching, tensive and if you are raised in the same period, recognizable. Respect! Four friends in there mid-life want to redo their climb of the Mont Ventoux 30 years later. It is a kind of a memorial climb, but it is also a way to deal with their girlfriend Laura, who disappeared after wards and suddenly returns after 30 years. Very hard for the movie to do better and it didn't. The story is scrambled in a way that it becomes fuzzy and unclear what are causes and what are consequences. Also if and how these guys are still friends after 30 years, is unclear. And the explanation of Laura in the end is poor and does not reflect the open ending of the novel. The filming is cool and scenes are cut-off sharp. Despite the beautiful shots of the Ventoux and its surroundings, it does not let you feel the myth of the Ventoux in general nor the specific meaning for the four friends. The acting could do better, especially the old guys. They are almost caricatures. The young guys do much better and I liked the Laura character, both young and old.Nevertheless, go see the movie if you are not able to read the book. The way friendship, aging, love, and cycling are combined is worthwhile seeing. It is not too serious, nor too flat.

As a Dutch person, it is somewhat strange to write a review for a Dutch film. Dutch cinema has a poor reputation, especially from within the Netherlands. Ask the average Dutch person about a film from his fatherland and he will respond: "I don't watch Dutch movies". Outside of the Netherlands reception of our flicks seems somewhat more positive, but no one will argue we're competing at the top. This has two main reasons. Primarily the poor acting. We do not have a professional acting school and most actors come from theater, which simply is entirely different from movie acting. Secondly, there is hardly any budget. Ventoux is a recent addition to our repertoire.Ventoux tells the story of a group of friends who reunite 30 years after a tragic accident that tore the group apart. In their late 40's, they decide to cycle up the notorious Ventoux mountain, just like they did at the end of high school. The film shows the relationship between the friends now and then, specifically focusing on the influence of the sole female in the company, the beautiful Laura and the question surrounding her disappearance.This is a very interesting premise. The film specifically focuses on male friendship, and does so quite convincingly. All male leads give an excellent performance and show us sincere friendship through difficult times. Similarly convincing is the role of young Laura, who enters a group of friends and is bewildered by the way the friendship works and the realization that her presence is of enormous influence on the boys. It is a shame that young André hardly has a personality; as it later turns out, old André is the glue that holds the friends together.The sincere friendship and interesting story keep your attention and I was anxious for the grand finale: the story of Laura. Shamefully this is the biggest turndown of the film. Old Laura gives a very poor performance, solely bringing down what is left of the friendship. She merely gives a shallow explanation and she is simply not a convincing adult version of her younger self. The finale is unsatisfying and the viewer is left with a desire to know more about Laura's view on the friendship.What is left is still a very decent film. At times excellent, at times mediocre. It is good to know that the quality of Dutch acting is rising. A solid and entertaining release in slowly professionalizing Dutch cinema.

I really can not understand why the dutch lack so much creativity in making movies. It seems that dutch movies generally address the same sort of very basic topics: Who had sex with whom and why, how to deal with teenage frustrations, a bad occurrence in the past that was hidden away and/or some bad disease/occurrence Beside that the characters are usually flat and predictable. The way of acting overdone and the actors are in a way "different" from normal people, too stylish. Finally the plot has many holes and unclearnessThis movie is not different. We have a death by accident in the past, we have teenagers that have sex and frustration, we have a scientist who is caught committing fraud, a girl disappearing in th past and without good explanation suddenly showing up again. The problems they face are simply set aside and the explanation for disappearing was given as simply: I was 17.And I can continue a long time but the basic conclusion: I wanted to leave the theater halfwaythis is just a waste of time and money

After riding le Mont Ventoux myself, I couldn't wait to watch this movie as soon as possible. Set in the beautiful landscape of le Provence, you first experience what men like to do most: hanging out with each other, riding on their bikes and drinking alcohol. But behind this simple routine of decadence, there lies a great drama, hidden in time. Old relationships and hatred come together. The movie overall is not the same as the book, but the slight differences didn't bother me at all. The casting is good, hence the characters are portrayed both young and old by different actors. The nice blend between good actors and the sensation of cycling on the mythical mountain kept me on my seat. Non-cyclists may or may not recognize all quotes and references used in this movie, like 'De Renner' by Tim Krabbé or the methods that are used to clean your bike. There is, however, a lot to enjoy for anyone.