Watch Kidnapping Freddy Heineken

Kidnapping Freddy Heineken is a crime thriller based on the true story of the abduction of one of the wealthiest people in the world, Freddy Heineken. The movie is directed by Daniel Alfredson and features an ensemble cast including Jim Sturgess, Sam Worthington, Ryan Kwanten, Anthony Hopkins, and Jemima West. The story takes place in the early 1980s in Amsterdam. Freddy Heineken (Anthony Hopkins) and his driver Ab Doderer (David Dencik) are kidnapped by a gang of five men, all former employees of the Heineken brewery. The kidnappers are Cor Van Hout (Jim Sturgess), Willem Holleeder (Sam Worthington), Frans Meijer (Mark van Eeuwen), Jan Boellaard (Ryan Kwanten), and Martin Erkamps (Thomas Cocquerel). They demand 35 million Dutch guilders for the release of Heineken.

The movie focuses on the planning and execution of the kidnapping, and the subsequent manhunt by the Dutch police. Cor Van Hout is the mastermind behind the plan, while Willem Holleeder is the muscle. Frans Meijer is the getaway driver, Jan Boellaard is in charge of the hideout, and Martin Erkamps is the newcomer to the group who is eager to prove himself.

The first half of the movie shows the kidnapping and the conditions in which Heineken and Doderer are held. The kidnappers meticulously plan every aspect of the abduction, including the use of fake police uniforms and a fake ambulance. They even kidnap two Belgian businessmen as a diversion. Heineken, who is initially defiant and uncooperative, eventually begins to form a bond with his captors. Doderer, on the other hand, is constantly tormented and abused.

The second half of the movie focuses on the aftermath of the kidnapping. The kidnappers have to deal with the problem of how to launder the money, and the police are in hot pursuit of the gang. The tension between the members of the gang begins to grow as they begin to turn on each other. Meanwhile, Heineken and Doderer are eventually released, but not before Heineken has been severely humbled by his ordeal.

Kidnapping Freddy Heineken is a well-executed crime thriller with a talented cast. Jim Sturgess is particularly impressive as the calculating and charismatic Cor Van Hout, while Sam Worthington is convincingly menacing as Willem Holleeder. Anthony Hopkins, despite his limited screen time, imbues Freddy Heineken with a sense of dignity and gravitas.

The movie also manages to capture the atmosphere of 1980s Amsterdam, with its seedy bars and canal-side warehouses. The soundtrack, featuring songs by Joy Division and The Cure, adds to the movie's retro charm.

However, the movie falls short in some areas. The pacing is uneven, with some scenes feeling overly long and others feeling rushed. The characters, other than Cor Van Hout and Willem Holleeder, are not particularly well-developed, and the movie ultimately feels like it spends too much time on the intricacies of the kidnapping plot and not enough time on character development.

Overall, Kidnapping Freddy Heineken is an entertaining crime thriller that should appeal to fans of the genre. Its talented cast and atmospheric setting make up for some of its weaknesses in pacing and character development.