Nicole Kidman stars in the film “Holland,” now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, as a restless suburbanite in a small Michigan town known for its tulip obsession. With Kidman’s portrayal, the film delves into the constructed perfection of suburban life, hinting at the underlying complexities and unforeseen facades. This movie, set in Holland, Michigan but only partially filmed there, offers a satirical lens on Midwestern life, echoing the sentiments Minnesotans might have felt watching “Fargo.” Directed by Mimi Cave, known for “Fresh,” the film navigates midwestern culture and its satirical undertones.
The plot revolves around Nancy Vandergroot, played by Kidman, who describes Holland as “the best place on Earth.” Yet, underneath her words lies a truth she’s hesitant to confront. While Nancy adores her ostensibly perfect life, her world starts to unravel with a missing earring, marking the beginning of her life’s facade crumbling. Husband Fred, played by Matthew Macfadyen, and their son Harry, create a model train set featuring local landmarks, subtly remarking on life’s constructed realities.
The real-life Tulip Time festival sets the film’s background, grounding it in reality with people dressed in traditional Dutch attire celebrating their heritage. Kidman’s character, Nance, suspiciously finds Polaroid film, suggesting her husband might be unfaithful, a suspicion she shares with Dave Delgado, her colleague played by Gael Garcia Bernal. Nancy’s distress culminates in a nighttime venture with Dave to explore her suspicions further.
As the Tulip Time festival looms, Nancy finds herself in a metaphorical pressure cooker, grappling with her concerns about her husband’s fidelity and the authenticity of her life. This film, echoing touches from “Fargo” and Kidman’s previous roles in films like “Babygirl,” juxtaposes the humorously satirical with the suspenseful, providing an intricate look into Kidman’s journey through suburban disillusionment.
Kidman’s performance stands out, bringing depth to a familiar theme of troubled paradise similar to her roles in “Babygirl” and “The Stepford Wives.” Despite a screenplay that teeters between satire and formula, her compelling portrayal remains the film’s highlight. Dialogue laced with inside jokes, like the line about Allegan and Holland, nods to local humor, while exploring broader themes in a manner both humorous and cautionary.
The narrative explores suburbia’s critique, through Nancy’s introspective revelation that life is “like carbon monoxide—so sleepy and comfortable, I don’t even know that I’m suffocating.” Set in the overwhelming sameness of suburban life, “Holland” stumbles in places, occasionally relying on familiar tropes. Yet, the film’s skewed angles and vivid art direction imbue scenes with a surreal vitality, inviting viewers to question their perceptions of reality in an environment steeped in tradition.
Mimi Cave’s direction captivates visually, bringing a vibrant yet uneasy atmosphere. The emphasis on tulips transforms the town into a colorful yet eerie landscape. However, the film struggles to define itself clearly, careening between comedy, suspense, and melodrama. These tonal shifts underscore Nancy’s conflicted desires and the film’s thematic explorations.
Despite some narrative divergences, Kidman’s performance offers a compelling reason to watch “Holland.” Her portrayal underscores the film’s thematic critique of suburban life, while her character’s journey resonates through its engaging satirical and visual storytelling. Nevertheless, “Holland” poses a pointed question: can satire uncover the truths beneath the suburban surface, or does it only scratch the veneer? The film’s satirical take remains a thought-provoking, albeit inconsistent, exploration of these themes.
