Wil (2023)

 

           “Wil” is a Dutch film that deals with the role of Dutch police during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The main character is Wilfred Wils (Stef Aerts). He narrates as the film flashes back to WWII. He forewarns the viewer by asking us to not judge him. It’s 1942 in Antwerp and Wil is a rookie cop. An evil German forces him to take him to a Jewish family. When he and his partner step in to save the mother and daughter, the German is killed. Oops. It’s a provocative start to a movie that focuses on the difficult line humane Dutch policeman had walk to please their German masters and yet not be traitors to their nation. The central plot will be the investigation to find out who killed the German. Wil and his friend do not go into hiding. They continue their job while hiding the Jewish family. It’s remarkably brave act, especially since Wil is an obvious suspect and does many stupid things that should have prevented flashing back to the war from comfortable old age. For instance, his mentor is a man who turns out to be anti-Jewish. Wil is not a good judge of character. He has an affair with an unstable woman.

As far as the rounding up of Jews, the film is willing to show that many Dutch were anti-semitic and some even aided in the Holocaust. There is a scene where a Dutch audience leaves a showing of a anti-Jewish film to head for the synagogue. It is also not above depicting Dutchmen who collaborated. Wil might have saved the Jewish mother and daughter, but he ends up collaborating and participates in round-ups.

This is not the first movie that deals with Dutch resistance and collaboration. It is a bit different because it concentrates on one individual. Unfortunately, the main character is too inconsistant in his actions. Is he supposed to be a hero or a villain? I know some will say he represents good men who were forced to do bad things, but few Dutch were both resistance members and collaborators. Most picked a side. Wil does not. Other characters are poorly drawn. The evil Nazi’s actions make no sense. He overlooks Wil’s clear guilt and instead tortures Wil’s boss. The showy cinematography, which includes lots of circular filming, adds to the weird vibe the movie gives off. I know many critics will praise it, but it is not a good war movie and not a good Holocaust movie.

GRADE  =  C