Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Voor een verloren soldaat (For a Lost Soldier) (1992) Directed by Roeland Kerbosch

Jeroen Borman (Jeroen Krabbé) is a choreographer trying desperately to convey to his dancers what his vision of freedom feels like.  For him, it is tied up with the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi rule.  Jeroen meets up with the ghost of his younger self (Maartin Smit) and we follow his adventures as a young boy relocated into the countryside from Amsterdam for his safety.  The only person he knows is Jan (Derk-Jan Kroon) an older boy of dubious character.  The family he is placed with had been hoping for a little girl to play with their youngest.  They are simple, god fearing people, and not given to strong demonstrations of emotion.  Of them all, only the father really seems to bond with Jeroen, and that in a subdued cat-like affection.

When Jeroen wets the bed his first night, and is out sitting looking at the ocean in his pajamas, the father Hait, (Freark Smink) comes and sits beside him.  He takes Jeroen's head and turns it down the coast.  "Amsterdam is that way.  The pump is by the house."  And he lays a towel on the boy's shoulders and leaves.  Very sparse, but very powerful; with this one scene, he tells Jeroen, I know exactly what is bothering you, and it is okay to feel that way; you aren't hurting my feelings.  And as for wetting the bed, these things happen.  It is not important; just clean things up. Don't dwell on them."  Nine words, three gestures, and a little space to work it out on his own; that is good parenting.

Jeroen begins to fit in.  Jan is around, not necessarily a good thing.  The son of the family, Henk is a little too old for Jeroen to bond with.  Henk is far too interested in girls. (And there is that whole bed wetting issue.) But Jeroen muddles through, wandering the desolate but beautiful countryside, playing with his new brother, sisters, and Jan.  Then, one day something wondrous happens; Liberation.

As the small contingent of Canadian soldiers takes up residence in the town, they are greeted with open arms (and open legs by some of the girls).  There is one in particular that fascinates Jeroen; Walt (Andrew Kelley).  Hero worship is normal in boys, and no one takes any particular notice in Jeroen's attachment to the handsome liberator.  Certainly, he doesn't seem to mind having Jeroen around.  But it quickly becomes obvious that there is more than friendship going on, and that Jeroen is as aware of it as we are, and is not backing away.

The film takes a sharp 90 degree turn as Walt and Jeroen start what can only be called a romance, culminating in Jeroen's first sexual experience.  The subject, as disturbing as it is, is handled with such skill and grace as to turn what could be a horror show into an avenue for deeper discussion.  Is the fault Jeroen's?  Partly.  He knew what was happening; he sought it out.  Is the fault Walt's?  Yes.  He should have known better.  Jeroen was not harmed by the experience; in fact, he was greatly enriched, but Walt could not have known that going in.  Does the excuse of wartime, being so far from home, so alone, and isolated by his sexual identity excuse it?  No.  Explain it, yes; excuse it, no.

Looked at another way, there is perhaps as much as ten years, perhaps as few as five, difference in their ages.  But what a difference those years make.  Still, the movie handles the topic with a gentle and tasteful touch.  It is very interesting to contrast this film with L.I.E. where the villain is a villain who knows he is a monster.

Yet Walt remains the great love of Jeroen's life, and the dance piece is really about Jeroen's feelings for his lost soldier.  And the ending, so simple, so...inconclusive, so hopeful, will make you cry.

Certified Lean-N-Mean (666) and entered into Captain D's Good Movie Write Off.

Gay Movies:

La Mission***Burnt Money***8: The Mormon Propo$ition***In The Flesh***The Sensei***The 24th Day***Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon***ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction***East Side Story***Dorian Blues***Creatures From the Pink Lagoon***Satyricon***Ice Men***Richard O'Briens Rocky Horror Tribute Show***Prom Queen***The Kids are All Right***Between Love and Goodbye***The Mudge Boy***That Man: Peter Berlin***A Single Man***Almost Normal***Outing Riley***Outrage!***Law of Desire***Love is the Devil***Cowboy Junction***Horror in the Wind***Bedrooms and Hallways***Cut Sleeve Boys***Big Eden***For A Lost Soldier***Midnight Cowboy***Redwoods***The Massuer***Boy Culture***Breakfast With Scot***The Fluffer***Flesh***Little Ashes***L.I.E. ***Dorian Gray***9 Dead Gay Guys***Shank***I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry***Beautiful Boxer***Bangkok Love Story***Schoolboy Crush***Shelter***Back Soon***Dog Tags***Theft***The Mulligans***The Velvet Goldmine***Swashbuckler***Smoke Signals
***C'Thulhu***Milk***The Picture of Dorian Gray***Brideshead Revisited***Notes on a Scandal***RocknRolla***Mamma Mia!
***Priscillia: Queen of the Desert***The History Boys***Brokeback Mountain***The Broken Hearts Club*** Yaji and Kita: Midnight Pilgrims ***Surge of Power ***In & Out ***Mambo Italiano ***Touch of Pink ***To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar ***Wolves of Kromer ***Rocky Horror Picture Show ***Taboo ***Deathtrap 


Gay Themed Series:

Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Dante's Cove
Hex
Carnivale Season One
Carnivale Season Two
Rome Season One
Rome Season Two
True Blood
True Blood: Season Two
The Book of Daniel: The Complete Series
Torchwood: Children of Earth
Torchwood: Season One


Gay Animation:

Pirate's Booty***Sensitive Pornograph***Loveless: The Complete Series***Loveless: Hope on the Run***Loveless: Soul of Chains***Loveless: Lost and Found***Embracing Love: A Cicada in Winter***Embracing Love: Cherished Spring ***Stonewall & Riot***Drawn Together Movie: The Movie***Drawn Together: Season 2***Drawn Together: Season 3

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age