Dikkenek (2006)

Excellent film qui sait combiner humour belge et second degré!!

An entertaining and colourful caricature of the real Brussels (quickly disappearing in the new world deluge of EU yuppies and hipsters.) Overall enjoyable, and at times well observed and surreal, as any film about Brussels should be.The only issue with this film is that it is too plastic. The writer/director reveals his limitations in a number of sequences displaying a lack of a deeper intimacy of the Bruxellois. (Poelvoorde, Belvaux & Bonzel were much closer to the mark). Damiens is an absolute natural in his character as is the excellent Mourade Zeguendi. Putting their names on this to boost sales, Marion Cotillard fills her shoes well, but the usually entertaining Dominique Pinon seems like he's not sure what he's meant to be doing and therefore a little out of place. (Much like the presence of Vedett beer in real cafes.)The scenes in the disco, cinema and cafe are particularly enjoyable and Damiens' mother's montcharge/stairlift is a classic.

For those who enjoyed "C'est arrivé près de chez vous", "Dikkenek" is a must see. It's made up of the same surrealist energy, encouraging to love the worst in humankind. While one can easily be disgusted by the character Jean-CLaude, by his vulgar language, by the smell of the pigs he slaughters following him, he tends to become sort of attractive by his repulsion. This enables him to convince beautiful Natacha of posing for nude pictures. In "C'est arrivé..." the serial killer played by Benoit Poelvoorde has the same effect, inspired by poetry in between murders, rapes and body tossing. In "Dikkenek", both men and women play tough persons with short fuse Stef and police boss Laurence. She is played by Florence Foresti, a great French stand-up artist, master of the improv. Jeremie Renier, who played in the great film made by the Dardenne brothers "L'Enfant", serves as an original link in the movie. Check out the movie's website where you'll here some of the great lines.

Though this is a Belgian-French production, Dikkenek is full of "belgitude" (belgianness) from beginning to end, starting from the title, which literally means "big neck" and describes an arrogant person full of him/j herself.It is somewhat reminiscent of Belgian cult movie "C'est arrivé près de chez vous", because of its dialogues which are likely to become known by everyone.Full of Belgian cultural references and humor, it might seem absurd to some, especially since the plot is a little chaotic. But Dikkenek gives a merciless picture of Belgian society. It's simply hilarious!The acting is very good and very spontaneous. It feels real!