Antonia's Line

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Antonia's Line

R

Released Feb 2, 1995

1h 33m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

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52 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

After World War II, Antonia (Willeke van Ammelrooy) and her daughter, Danielle (Els Dottermans), go back to their Dutch hometown, where Antonia's late mother has bestowed a small farm upon her. There, Antonia settles down and joins a tightly-knit but unusual community. Those around her include quirky friend Crooked Finger (Mil Seghers), would-be suitor Bas (Jan Decleir) and, eventually for Antonia, a granddaughter and great-granddaughter who help create a strong family of empowered women.

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Critics Consensus

Magical and morbid, Antonia picturesque landscapes and proficient performances elevate a somewhat pedestrian parable.

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Chris Peachment

Daily Telegraph (UK)

It's a broad historical saga of great warmth, but it would have been more convincing if it didn't have "feminist agenda" stamped all over it.

Nov 28, 2017

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Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

Antonia is a work of rare lyricism. It glows with the light of a Flemish painting and the spirit of magic realism.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 4, 2016

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Howard Kissel

New York Daily News

Antonia's Line is enjoyable because it is never preachy. It depicts, with a painterly eye, a pagan world that has not changed since Breughel.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 4, 2016

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Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

A celebration of life and of women and their strength when they band together.

Feb 12, 2024

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Judith M. Redding

Curve

A primer in the empowerment of women, not to mention a painterly, epic look at matriarchy.

May 23, 2022

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Amelie Lasker

FF2 Media

Gorris's work is impressive throughout, both in how she handles tonal shifts and builds a large cast of characters and weaves the story around them.

Feb 25, 2021

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Laura S

I bought the DVD of this film years ago because I love it so much. I have recommended it to many people, particularly if you like programs such as Schitt's Creek, which has the same theme of a town embracing everyone not in spite of their quirkiness, but because of it. Also for people who have older loved ones they are losing or have lost. Though I warn them to have kleenex ready - it's heartwarming and emotional.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/02/25

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 33 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! In Dutch and English audio versions with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $45,100.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

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Audience Member

This is a beautiful movie of hope, a chosen family, and integrity. I am puzzled by some of the (men's) reviews that characterize the film as feminist. Is having some strong female characters ‘feminist'? Yes, the movie is told from a woman's perspective but it also includes a close relationship between Antonia and Bas. They adopt a line of people, women and men, who are outcasts. This is not a feminist treatise, it is a human one.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

One of my all-time favourite films and one of only three that I have watched several times. A beautiful, uplifting story filled with wonderful characters — especially strong females.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Audience Member

This movie brings warmth and humour to the joys and hardships of life. It is a soft reminder to shoulder our burdens and seek beauty around us. For those learning Dutch it is also in language that is easy to understand.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

Super delightful, one of the most straightforward feminist films I've ever seen, and simply inherently without even mentioning the word or concept! Was stunning and beautiful, felt like I was watching a novel.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

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Marleen Gorris

Director

Willeke van Ammelrooy

Antonia

Els Dottermans

Danielle

Jan Decleir

Boer Bas

Marina de Graaf

Deedee

Mil Seghers

Crooked Finger

Moonlight and Valentino

14%

53%

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Synopsis

After World War II, Antonia (Willeke van Ammelrooy) and her daughter, Danielle (Els Dottermans), go back to their Dutch hometown, where Antonia's late mother has bestowed a small farm upon her. There, Antonia settles down and joins a tightly-knit but unusual community. Those around her include quirky friend Crooked Finger (Mil Seghers), would-be suitor Bas (Jan Decleir) and, eventually for Antonia, a granddaughter and great-granddaughter who help create a strong family of empowered women.

Director: Marleen Gorris
Producer: Gerard Cornelisse, Hans de Weers
Screenwriter: Marleen Gorris
Distributor: First Look
Production Co: Bard Entertainments Ltd. [gb], Eurimages, European Co-production Fund, Prime Time
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Dutch
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 2, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $45.1K
Runtime: 1h 33m

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