Directed by Mimi Cave and written by Andrew Sodroski, Holland made its World Premiere at the SXSW Film & Television Festival this month. Nicole Kidman stars as Nancy Vandergroot, a teacher at a school in Holland, Michigan. She is married to Fred Vandergroot (Matthew Macfadyen), an optometrist, and they have a son named Harry (Jude Hill). The film is described as a thriller and while it does have some good scenes while it takes some time to thrill the audience, it seems to take too long to get there, most likely losing some audience members. I do like the story idea, but even though it has a great cast giving it their best, I am not wholeheartedly as impressed as others who love movies that are “made for TV.” I love Gael García Bernal and know of his talent and past work. He does well in his role, and I wish the story would have made his character a bit stronger in several ways.
Fred has a huge model train set in the basement of the Vandergroot home. He spends bonding time with his son. Fred just gives off that happy married husband and father vibe to everyone in the community. He knows how Nancy can react to things and when an earring is lost, Nancy is addressing the issue with the babysitter named Candy (Rachel Sennott). Shortly after, Fred announces he is leaving on another business trip. At this point, Nancy’s suspicions about these frequent out of town conferences and meetings are peaking but holds her thoughts for now.
While he is gone, Nancy begins to investigate Fred’s activities to confirm if he is having an affair. She has been a dedicated wife and teacher, trying to always please Fred. She shares her concerns with Dave Delgado (Gael García Bernal), a fellow teacher where she works. Of course, she is attracted to the handsome teacher, so she has an opportunity to share her feelings about her marriage and draw him closer.
There seem to be times this film could be more enticing, but sadly it does not. The two teachers are good as investigators and do find out what Fred does while he is gone to the “conference.”
Pawel Pogorzelski’s camera is effective in following the characters in their respective journey, which is discovering a person who is leading a double life and the other who wants to break out of the circumstances she has been conditioned to live by.
Life in Western Michigan and beyond is about to get a good kick in the small-town mold.
Produced by Kate Churchill, p.g.a., Peter Dealbert, Nicole Kidman, p.g.a., Per Saari, p.g.a.
Rated R | 108 minutes and Streaming Globally on Prime Video March 27.
Source: Amazon Prime Video, SXSW
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