Nancy Vandergroot (Nicole Kidman) is a school teacher in Holland, Michigan. She is married to Fred (Matthew Macfadyen), an optometrist, and they have a son, Harry (Jude Hill). At first, the movie sets an intriguing tone. Nancy accuses their babysitter (Rachel Sennott) of stealing an earring and fires her. This small act of suspicion grows into an obsession. Nancy starts questioning Fred’s frequent business trips. She wonders why an optometrist would need so many conferences.
To uncover the truth, she teams up with her colleague, Dave Delgado (Gael García Bernal). Their investigation begins as a curious adventure but quickly spirals. As expected, their partnership creates complications, but the script falters in its execution.
Lost in Its Own Premise
Andrew Sodroski’s script tries to pack too much into the plot. It skips over logic and sidesteps reason. Dave faces racism only when it is convenient for Nancy’s storyline. Fred’s massive train set in the basement serves no purpose. These details feel disconnected, as if the setting itself was an afterthought. The household could be in any city, and the story would remain unchanged.
The investigation lacks depth. Nancy’s search leads to hollow discoveries. The film spends so much time on her foolish sleuthing that it forgets to build meaningful relationships. The tension between characters remains underdeveloped.
A Waste of Talent
Macfadyen and Bernal are stuck in thinly written roles. Both actors deserve better material. Nicole Kidman, however, shines as Nancy. Her performance brings humor and curiosity to an otherwise lifeless story. She taps into the same tragi-comic energy she showed in The Stepford Wives.
Mimi Cave, who directed the thrilling Fresh, struggles to bring the same energy to Holland. The film feels detached and insulated. It glosses over the gravity of the crimes it addresses, as if afraid to disrupt the status quo.
A Lack of Impact
The film’s tone is flat. At critical moments, the characters seem to wrestle with their own existence rather than the stakes of the mystery. This understated approach drains the story of its tension. The audience is left unmoved.
Despite the film’s flaws, Kidman remains captivating. Over the last eight years, she has worked with 19 female directors. Her commitment to supporting female filmmakers is admirable. In Holland, she rises above the material, delivering a performance that outshines the film itself.
Final Thoughts
Holland begins with promise but quickly loses its way. The script’s lack of focus and logic undermines the story. The talented cast, except for Kidman, is wasted on underwhelming roles. Mimi Cave’s direction feels restrained, lacking the boldness that made her previous work stand out. In the end, Holland fails to engage, leaving its audience indifferent. Stay Updated with the Latest News Live on News Trendzs! Get breaking news, top headlines, Entertainment updates, and Bollywood buzz, along with global news coverage and more.
