Watch The Marathon

The Marathon is a Dutch comedy-drama film directed by Diederick Koopal, released in 2012. It stars Stefan de Walle and Martin van Waardenberg, who also co-wrote the script with Gerard Meuldijk. The Marathon is a heart-warming story about four friends who decide to run a marathon, after inheriting a restaurant together. The story revolves around four middle-aged men, Gerard (Stefan de Walle), Leo (Martin van Waardenberg), Nico (Marcel Hensema), and Kees (Frank Lammers), who acquired a restaurant from their deceased friend. However, the restaurant is not doing well, and they are struggling to pay off the debt. They are in debt to such an extent that the bank threatens to take away the restaurant from them. The only way out seems to be to participate in the Rotterdam Marathon, which has a prize money of 20,000 Euros.

The movie beautifully portrays the friendship between the four men, and their different personalities. Gerard is a calm and balanced person, while Leo is impulsive and aggressive. Nico is the most health-conscious of the group and often sends the others exercise videos, and Kees is a recovering alcoholic. The Marathon is not just about the race; it is about their journey towards it. From being out of shape and unhealthy to preparing for one of the most challenging marathons in Europe, the film takes the audience along with the men as they train and support each other.

The training montage in the movie is hilarious, and the men's eccentric training methods are sure to make the audience laugh. They try everything from running in clogs to camping and training in the wilderness. Their trainer, Youssoef (Mahjoub Benmoussa), is another noteworthy character in the film who brings a sense of balance and discipline to their training regime.

Apart from the four main characters, the movie also features several other notable characters who provide comedic relief. One of them is Jolanda (Sophie van Winden), a waitress at the restaurant who has a crush on Leo. Leo, in turn, is still grieving over his deceased wife and is not ready to move on. Another character, Dubbeldam (Cees Geel), is the bank manager who wants to repossess the restaurant. The Marathon cleverly weaves all these characters together, and the result is a heart-warming story about friendship, perseverance, and the power of the human spirit.

One of the highlights of the movie is the marathon, which is shot beautifully. The marathon scene is an emotional rollercoaster for both the audience and the runners. The Marathon is more than a comedy or a sports movie. It is an emotional journey that explores themes of grief, friendship, and determination.

In terms of cinematography, The Marathon is visually stunning. The movie showcases the beautiful city of Rotterdam, and the shots of the training sessions in the forest are breathtaking. The music by Fons Merkies also deserves a mention as it perfectly complements the visuals and adds to the emotional richness of the film.

In conclusion, The Marathon is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a good comedy-drama. The movie will make you laugh and cry, and leave you feeling inspired. The Marathon is a beautiful story about friendship, perseverance, and the human spirit. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The Marathon is a 2012 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes.