Character

92%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Young lawyer Katadreuffe (Fedja van Huêt) is the chief suspect in the murder of the cold-hearted bailiff Dreverhaven (Jan Decleir). The two have long been rivals, waging personal battles through the courts, and Katadreuffe was observed leaving the scene of the crime. Giving his testimony to police, Katadreuffe effectively tells his life story, in which his ambition for success in the legal world was driven by a hatred of his biological father -- who was, secretly, Dreverhaven.

Watch on Prime Video

Stream Now

Where to Watch

Critics Reviews

View All (25) Critics Reviews

Daniel Fienberg

Zap2it.com

Very well shot, but narratively it's pretentious, wannabe Kafka, heavyhanded dreck. Not sure how it won an Oscar.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 17, 2005

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 12, 2002

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

This powerful family melodrama from the Netherlands won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar

Rated: B+

Aug 14, 2011

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

A remarkably stylish, well-crafted film that constantly surprises on the level of cinematic creativity alone.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 27, 2007

Full Review

Maria Garcia

Film Journal International

Predictable and dreadfully misconceived.

Jan 5, 2007

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (121) audience reviews

gajah d Fabulous film, captures not only a venemous father-son relationship, but a particular moment in Dutch late colonialism. I have been looking forward to a blu-ray for years, but haven't seen one yet. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Excelente muestra del avasallador tormento que infringe el rigor de un búsqueda genuina del interior. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Vincent L Still my favourite Dutch movie.Famous Belgian actor Jan Decleir once again gives a powerhouse performance that completely dominates the screen in any scene he appears in, which of course is fitting for the character he plays.Fedja van Huet als performs brilliant from a completely opposite mindset but no less compelling.The cinematography is breathtaking and I don't think Rotterdam ever looked so beautiful.It's a perfect adaptation of one of the best Dutch novels. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/25/17 Full Review Audience Member A great overlooked thriller. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member beautiful movie, a must see Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Heerlijke vertolking, excellente keuze van beginscene en geniale omzetting van de droge derdepersoondvertelling in Katadreuffe die zijn levensverhaal vertelt. Sterke karakters, met Jan Decleir zeer overtuigend in de rol van Dreverhaven. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Mike van Diem Director Fedja van Huêt Jacob Katadreuffe Jan Decleir Dreverhaven Betty Schuurman Joba Victor Löw De Gankelaar Tamar van de Dop Lorna te George

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home

The Minus Man 58% 45% The Minus Man Watchlist American History X 84% 96% American History X Watchlist Savior 56% 80% Savior Watchlist I Want You 67% 61% I Want You Watchlist The Chamber 12% 39% The Chamber Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Photos

View All Character photos

Character

Character (1997)

View more photos

Synopsis Young lawyer Katadreuffe (Fedja van Huêt) is the chief suspect in the murder of the cold-hearted bailiff Dreverhaven (Jan Decleir). The two have long been rivals, waging personal battles through the courts, and Katadreuffe was observed leaving the scene of the crime. Giving his testimony to police, Katadreuffe effectively tells his life story, in which his ambition for success in the legal world was driven by a hatred of his biological father -- who was, secretly, Dreverhaven.

Director: Mike van Diem
Producer: Laurens Geels
Screenwriter: Ferdinand Bordewijk, Mike van Diem, Laurens Geels, Ruud van Megen
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Almerica Film
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Dutch
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 27, 1998, Original
Release Date (DVD): Feb 4, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $743.9K
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital