Set in 1983 in Amsterdam, this true-life thriller revolves around a group of childhood pals who kidnapped the chairman/CEO of Heineken International and held him for the largest ransom ever paid for one individual. Gathering at the local pub, five cash-strapped mates—Willem Holleeder (Sam Worthington), Cor van Hout (Jim Sturgess), Jan “Cat” Boellard (Ryan Kwanten), Frans “Spikes” Meijer (Mark van Eeuwen), and Martin “Brakes” Erkamps (Thomas Cocquerel)—devise a get-rich-quick scheme that involves snatching the beer tycoon and then demanding 35 million Dutch guilders (which works out to a whopping $21 million dollars). Although it's not difficult to kidnap Alfred “Freddy” Heineken (Anthony Hopkins), trouble erupts while the quintet are holding him and chauffeur Ab Doderer (David Dencik) prisoners in their makeshift hideaway while waiting impatiently for their lucrative payoff. Not surprisingly, the bickering buddies have different objectives, so Heineken is able to manipulate the situation by engaging in clever psychological warfare. As Heineken observes, “There are two ways a man can be rich in this world: you can have money or you can have friends. But you cannot have both.” Adapted from Peter R. de Vries's book, director Daniel Alfredson's predictable crime drama unfortunately proceeds at a plodding pace, although Hopkins is a characteristic joy to watch. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted/extended scenes (6 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for an uneven film.] (S. Granger)
Kidnapping Mr. Heineken
Alchemy, 95 min., R, DVD: $19.99, <span class=SpellE>Blu</span>-ray: $24.99, Apr. 14 Volume 30, Issue 2
Kidnapping Mr. Heineken
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