Simply Love

Eveline van Dijck's Simply Love offers a sequel to her 1993 transgender documentary A Change of View, which followed Dutch husband and father Marcel's transformation into Marcella. Although a few choice excerpts from the earlier film are included here, this 2006 addendum mostly features new footage related to Marcella's surprising romance with Marijke, an Austrian who'd briefly been Marcel's sweetheart four decades earlier. Now a widow, Marijke not only tracks down her soul mate, but is also—remarkably—undeterred by the sex change, choosing to move to Holland to marry Marcella (Marijke's children, though outwardly supportive, have their doubts). For the first half, Simply Love is just that—a joyous celebration of Marcella and Marijke's rediscovery of youthful passion and plans for a life together, but events take a potentially sad turn when the reunion is threatened (rest assured, however, that love conquers all). Simply Love is an uncommonly sweet story—even frail ex-wife Ada, to whom Marcella continues to be devoted, is very supportive of the new couple—about very likable people. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)