The Alzheimer Case

The Alzheimer Case, released in 2003 under original title De Zaak Alzheimer, is a Belgian crime thriller directed by Erik Van Looy, boasting a strong cast led by Koen De Bouw, Werner De Smedt and Jan Decleir. This film, remarkably characterized by its narrative strength, commendable performances, unsettling turns and twists, and deft direction, has its roots in Jef Geeraerts' novel of the same name.

The plot follows the chilling journey of aging contract killer Angelo Ledda (Jan Decleir). As the embers of his lengthy and lucrative career as a hitman start to wane, Ledda realizes that he must confront an enemy he cannot escape from: Alzheimer’s disease. When his deteriorating mind begins to impact his performance, Ledda is confronted with unexpected humaneness. However, as the strands of his life start to unravel, he finds himself plunged into the mire of a political conspiracy and wrestling with personal demons.

Koen De Bouw and Werner De Smedt play detectives Eric Vincke and Freddy Verstuyft respectively who are hurled into the complex world of contract killings and shadowy politics. De Bouw’s Vincke is a methodical inspector unafraid to push boundaries for the truth, whilst De Smedt's Verstuyft is his loyal partner, often dealing with the unconventional methods of Vincke.

The film is an exploration of the human condition, juxtaposing Ledda's savage struggle with his career and devastating disease, against the detectives' earnest endeavor to dismantle the convoluted nexus, driven by justice and truth but impeded by age-old corruption.

In true noir fashion, The Alzheimer Case portrays a somber and atmospheric picture of Antwerp. It constantly dances between the haunting cover of shadows in the underworld and the cold, pragmatic halls of political power. The film was shot on location and the city of Antwerp itself becomes an important character landing to its moody atmospherics. Remarkably, Van Looy heavily leans on the thematic contrasts such as morality and corruption, longevity and erosion, powerlessness and dominance, to intensify the narrative conflicts.

The Alzheimer Case offers a non-stop, gripping exploration of a man who — despite being a ruthless contract killer — evokes sympathy and understanding. The film does a credible job of demonstrating what it might feel like for someone used to being in total control to suddenly lose grip on reality and himself due to Alzheimer’s disease. With his harrowing portrayal, Decleir crafts a character that inhabits an intersection of villainy, victimhood and vulnerability.

The smart direction, deft performances, specially by Decleir, and compelling storyline blend to create a thriller that supports thoughtfulness alongside its suspense. It thrusts viewers into a tense vortex of crime and shadows, constantly challenging their perceptions of morality. Although the mysteries of the narrative unravel slowly, the pay-off is worthwhile as the plot winds together individual threads to complete a thrilling tapestry.

A key strength of the film lies in the complexity of its characters. Whether it’s Ledda caught in a perfect storm of his own making or Vincke meticulously chipping away at the truth while negotiating a labyrinth of closely-guarded secrets, they are portrayed with a level of depth that makes them compelling.

While firmly grounding its roots in the crime thriller genre, the film adds a fresh spin with its unfiltered look at the devastating consequences of a deteriorating mind, aided by Decleir's masterful performance that allows audiences to feel sympathy for an otherwise unsympathetic character.

The Alzheimer Case is an excellent crime thriller, underpinned by credible performances by the lead actors, clever direction, and a twisting plot that serves up an engrossing watch. It is a chilling roller coaster ride into the heart of darkness that offers an intriguing, innovative take on the crime thriller genre. True to its tagline, "Nothing is what it seems," the film offers a ruthless exploration of reality that will grip audiences from start to finish.

Those interested in suspenseful thrillers, crime dramas that delve deep into character psyches, or narratives that challenge and expand the genre's conventions would find The Alzheimer Case to be a compelling, if somewhat unsettling, cinematic experience. Despite its dark themes and challenging storyline, the film exemplifies the power of cinema to tackle difficult subject matter while also providing an engaging, suspenseful story.