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The focus on pressures
of modern life makes A Thousand Kisses a good watch,
That the film is thoroughly modern in content is obvious by the role of the mobile in our lives. Nothing happens without it being integral to life and its absence is the cause of much misunderstanding. It is a blow-hot-blow-cold love affair and Samarind who is more keen on modelling than becoming a doctor has to leave the place often and hence the tension. Giph’s mother, Lotti, is in her mid-50s and when she gets a stroke she insists on ending her life with the consent of her children— Giph and her daughter Dippy. It is at once apparent that she "says it as it is" but some of her lines are far too exhibitionistic and sort of mar an otherwise well-constructed film by Willem van de Saude Bakhuyzen. The casual manner into which Giph and Samarind enter into sex is reminiscent of the 1960s, like John and Mary." So is the permissive way in which their group of friends live. Sex is the focal point of their lives. The establishing shots are good and the story moves along at a steady pace but it is conflict that is the key, whether it is between the two lovers or between the mother and her two children. "That dominating streak of hers and how she waltzes over all of us," is how Giph puts it to his sister but there are other instances of her strong will. As for Giph, he is no less demonstrative and is capable of letting off steam in a formidable way. But all these incidents are neatly packaged by Bakhuyzen in a little over 100 minutes. The actual focus on the process of euthanasia is both powerful and touching and is the highlight of the film. Romance is a close second but due to its unpredictability one could also call it a red herring. What is for sure is the fact that Bakhuyzen is able to graphically recapture the tensions of modern life and the bearing they have on society. It is palpable and thought-provoking and these are its greatest assets.
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WHEN
the writer hero Giph is told that "You’ll be embraced by a
thousand arms," one gets the significance of the title A
Thousand Kisses but the story moves along two fronts. One is the
hero’s tempestuous love affair with medico/model Samarind and the
other his mother’s wish to go in for euthanasia.