Het geheim

Eight-year-old Ben Stikker is fascinated by conjuring in general and by the big disappearing act in particular. His bungling father claims he has unravelled the secret of this trick, and single-handedly knocks together a disappearance chest. The father-and-son act takes a dramatic turn when Ben’s girlfriend does disappear during the performance, but does not reappear. The media brand the amateur magician as the culprit and the girl’s complete disappearance puts the family under great pressure. Het geheim is a highly imaginative family movie in the true sense of the word, clearly rooted in everyday reality, but slightly overstated. Solid acting, with a nice supporting role for Daan Schuurmans as a Hans Klok clone; the illusionist himself was active behind the scenes as a consultant and perceptive viewers will spot him in an ultrashort cameo. The colourful photography adds the magic touch. With Het geheim, Joram Lürsen proves once again that he is an expert in entertaining and controlling a large audience.