Castingx (2005) User Reviews

a cool and emotional thriller

[maartenkosterr · 7/10 · 5 October 2006]

Steven works on a petrol station on a surrealistic desert area somewhere in Europe (I read that the film is shot in Spain, otherwise I wouldn't know). He's a very introvert young guy with a violent past. In the opening of the film you see some terrible things happening, but you don't know what's the relationship with him. In the end of the film everything falls in place and I'm sure you didn't saw it coming. I for sure didn't..:-).

It's not a flashy Hollywood film but it looks quite cool. The storyline is not always very clear and sometimes maybe a bit too surrealistic, but I must say I like this kind of movies. If you don't have a problem with using your imagination and brain while looking at a film, this might be something for you. Maarten.

too bad to be called a movie

[guido-81 · 1/10 · 7 October 2005]

Don't listen to the other comment or the rating. After you've seen this movie you will know for sure that only the people involved in this horrible project could have come up with praising words or ratings. Because this is without a doubt the single worst movie i've seen in a my entire life. A young man works in a gas station with very few customers a day. His father is the owner who spends his time making bad porno movies with a drug addict and yelling at his son he's doing a terrible job. Then one day a young woman (Ellen ten Damme) arrives and seduces the young man. As it turns out, everybody wants the money that lies in the safe from the father at the gas station. The young man wants the money to leave because his father murdered his mother, the young woman because she was used in a film, and the drug addict for drugs. So far it sounds like it could be exciting. But every shot is horrible with very, very bad lines. Most of the actors speak with an over the top British accent like they'd come right out of snatch. There is no tension what so ever and not once I cared what would happen. Above all, a lot of scenes are redundant and very dull. Maybe the director thought it was cool because he had seen it in other movies, but it doesn't work at all. The only good thing about this movie is the music with songs from Ellen ten Damme, Sukilove and Bettie Serveert. My advice: buy the soundtrack if it exists and skip this movie at all times.

Say it out loud, I'm Dutch and I'm proud -NOT

[geert1969 · 2/10 · 27 November 2006]

2 out of 10 for some nice cinematography -not spectacular, but the only redeeming factor I can think of.

This is a Dutch film about a couple of Brits and a Russian girl in the middle of a desert, somewhere in America. I'm guessing. The Brits are actually Dutchmen and a Scotsman, all trying to be Vinnie Jones and failing miserably. The script is obviously written by a Dutchman, trying too hard to sound British by throwing as many idioms in the mix as his dictionary will provide. The Dutch girl playing the Russian girl speaking English is the only one getting away with it, as Russians talking English sound a lot like Dutch talking English. O, and let's not forget the 'mysterious' native American postman -played by a Mexican...

Please forget about this film, for it's too embarrassing to watch, particularly for a Dutchman like myself.

A unique and original thriller

[j-john-john · 8/10 · 1 October 2006]

A friend of mine told me about a movie he saw which he found very interesting. He knows I'm a big fan of this kind of thrillers. I must say I was very skeptical about Dutch people making an English film, but I wasn't disappointed. I'm also not a fan of Ellen ten Damme, but in this film her role was very strong. I liked the creepy atmosphere and the images. In the beginning it wasn't so easy to follow the story, but it kept my attention. The actor that plays Steven, the main character in the film is Dutch, but I only found this out at the end of the film when I saw the credits. Castingx is not the most easy film there is. If you like more mainstream Hollywood pictures, this is probably not the best film for you. If you wanne see something different, this might be something for you. John.

A beautiful film!

[adbol2004 · 10/10 · 12 April 2006]

I didn't know that Dutch filmmakers could make such an international and original film! This film has a real European look and feel. The surrealistic atmosphere takes you into a dream world somewhere in the English desert... I know the film was shot in Spain, which was a brilliant choice. The main character is brilliantly portrayed bij Klemens Patijn. Johnny Melville, playing his father, brings danger, humor and darkness to the film. A brilliant and original combination! The story took me to the heart and I didn't see the unexpected twist at the end coming. It's a film that you must love, made with great craftsmanship and attention. I'm looking forward to the next film of Ad Bol!

A beautiful and sincere film about love...

[adbol2005 · 10/10 · 12 April 2006]

This independent film is a wonderful and original film about the light and dark sides of love. It's a feature with an original touch and a new way of narrating. You can see the filmmakers put all their energy into this wonderful film. I wish I saw the film in the theatre instead of on DVD. The images in the desert are wonderful. The character of Steven really came to life. I felt very close to the problems he had with the death of his mother when he was a little boy. The performance of this actor is great. I also liked the actress that plays Helena. Her character is sexy, sensitive but also mean. A dangerous woman with a mysterious past. I recommend everybody to see this film! Anna

Helena is my favorite film character

[ad-138 · 10/10 · 12 April 2006]

Helena is the kind of woman I like: She's beautiful, mysterious and a real power woman! When I saw the film for the first time, I was really sucked into it. The scenes are beautiful, especially the developing love between Steven and Helena. what a sexy tenderness! After the film I really hated the father of Steven, Charly. This actor really knows how to make himself hated, hahaha. I think his name is Johnny Melville. The opening of the film is full of action and mystery. The dark and edgy style is something I really liked. It reminds me of the films of David Lynch, one of my favorite actors. Especially the end is very special and unexpected. You have to see it!

Romantic and full of suspense

[suzannevanderbijl · 8/10 · 28 October 2006]

I watched this film with my boyfriend on DVD. He didn't like the romantic part of the film so much, but I liked it. The funny thing was that he liked the 'suspence' part, as he called it. But for me the film is not really a thriller. It's more a strange (realistic?) love story.

Ellen ten Damme plays in a way herself, I think. the character of Helena fits her very well. I didn't know the actor who plays Steven, but I like him. His father is very funny! I didn't hear so much about the film when it was in the cinema's, that's why it's really an underground film I think. My boyfriend told me its actually a Dutch film, but it doesn't feel like that at all. Have fun watching it! Suzanne.