swalpie I found this movie to be extremely entertaining. It has been a long time since I've laughed so many times watching a movie. Apart from the splendid Amsterdam-style humor (which I've also had the pleasure to experience in real life) I also found this movie to be of great inspirational value. Specifically, Simon is a very positive and relaxed guy who goes through life in a cheerful and carefree way. Even when his death becomes imminent he remains mostly upbeat and full of humor. I think that is something of value we could all take away from it. It will be hard to swallow for moralistic people as it contains many controversial topics. Watch it as just a comedy, don't be bothered about the controversies too much. I don't know what is more extreme, this movie or most others that are full of killing, shooting and violence.

incitatus-org Through an awkward accident, Camiel (Marcel Hensema) meets Simon (Cees Geel). Camiel is an intelligent, shy, insecure, gay student studying to become a dentist. Simon is close to his opposite: a true Amsterdam mythical hero - down-to-earth, liberal, dry humoured seducer ("Couldn't you just instantly turn into a naked chick?") who owns two cafés and lives in the Dutch paradox - he's in the semi-legal business of running a hash home delivery service. Both are true products of Dutch society, as it is dreamed to be, with their multilingual, easy, matter-of-fact approach to life. But the film is mostly about Simon. Well, about Camiel looking Simon, fascinated.So what is it about Simon that so fascinates Camiel? To a certain extent, Camiel is an outsider, he is just someone who walks the streets. He is not extraordinary in any sense. Neither his love life, nor his profession can help him up, nor does he play an instrument or have any hidden talent. When he meets Simon, it seems as if Simon has his whole life organised around himself, to be able to live his life fully. He is surrounded by his oddball friends and has a loving family (in Thailand!). And that with a forgiving smile which allows him to boyishly do as he pleases.The second half of the movie is darker than the first, when the weight on the looming tragedy starts to be felt (Simon's approaching death). The second half of the film is more emotional, building on the characters and relationships of the first half. Notice the remarkable difference in the treatment of the subject with Les Invasions Barbares, of death, friendship, love, sex and society. Perhaps the last is the most remarkable, because somewhere Simon is the society. There is no clash with an outer world which is different to him - because the difference between the individuals is what makes up the society in which he lives. Similarly there is no generational gap either, Simon's children will make something out of their lives as he did with his, nothing fundamental has changed. It is Western society at its (brief?) peak. If there is any weakness in the film, then it would have to be Simon's interest in Camiel, the reasons of which could have been more explicit (perhaps his stability, or his intelligence?). None the less, the audience takes on the role of Camiel, and is taken along into Simon's world. A world which is a rare glimpse into the liberal post-modern society which is (was?) The Netherlands. Camiel will not be the only one leaving impressed.

Oyster-6 Brings both a smile to your face as tears to your eyes. The raw humor portrait by "Simon" is balanced with the sincere emotions portrayed by the people around him.Where a few other Dutch movies tell the tale of a loved one being destroyed slowly by a disease of some kind ("Turks Fruit" and "Ik ook van jou") in a dramatic way, the movie "Simon" also touches you by the black humor that goes along with the tough struggle of not only the main character but also the people around him.Delicate themes like suffering from terminal cancer, euthanasia and (in a less impacting way in this film: gay marriage) go hand in hand with crude jokes about sex, flat-chested women and gay and racial jokes. Though the delicate line between authentic sentiment and cheap emotional effect is never crossed in neither the dramatic not the emotional side of the barrier.

Dennis Schauw Simon is real in every way. Living in the part of Amsterdam called the Jordaan where the last "real" Amsterdam people live. This movie is drenched in dutch culture, including the coffee shops. Simon is a soft drugs dealer and owns a coffee shop in Amsterdam. Simon tells the story about two friends, Simon and Camiel. Camiel is fascinated by Simon, he enjoys how Simons personality gets them in strange situations and places. After a holiday in Thailand their friendship ends due to a mistake Camiel made. Years later Camiel meets Simon again. Now things are very different, Simon has cancer. This movie is one of the most moving pictures I have ever seen. Partly because it captures dutch culture spot on, and it feels so real. The other reason is that the story is just great. Eddy Terstall wrote and directed the movie. And he knows his thing. Knowing what is important and what is trivial. This is clearly the best movie he made. The movie Rent-a-friend was clearly a step in the right direction. But with this one he has surpassed himself. If I should describe this movie in just one word: impressive.