The Memory of a Killer

Original title: De zaak Alzheimer

2003
R
2h 3m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

11K

YOUR RATING

Koen De Bouw and Jan Decleir in The Memory of a Killer (2003)

Play trailer1:44

1 Video

14 Photos

Action Crime Drama Thriller

Vincke and Verstuyft are the best detectives of the Antwerp police department. They are confronted with the murder on a leading executive and put all their effort to catch the murderer.Vincke and Verstuyft are the best detectives of the Antwerp police department. They are confronted with the murder on a leading executive and put all their effort to catch the murderer.Vincke and Verstuyft are the best detectives of the Antwerp police department. They are confronted with the murder on a leading executive and put all their effort to catch the murderer.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

11K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 7 wins & 3 nominations

Videos1

Trailer 1:44

The Memory of a Killer

Photos14

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The director (a big RAFC supporter) insisted that actor Gene Bervoets (a Beerschot supporter) whistle the anthem of RAFC in a scene where he's in the car (Beerschot and RAFC are both football clubs in Antwerpen, with 100 years of enmity dividing their fans). Gene Bervoets, however, agreed to do as requested immediately. Since his character is a complete bastard, he thought it quite logical that he would be an RAFC-fan.

Goofs
Bieke's father who gets shot resisting arrest at the beginning of the film, is clearly shot on his left side of the chest. But in the shot right before he lays still, we see the gunshot wound on the other side, then it flips back again when he's down. This was a deliberate act by the director, paying tribute to John Wayne westerns where the chase between Indians and Cowboys was flipped (caused by money problems between director and producers).

Quotes
Freddy Verstuyft: [while practicing his French] Vincke, why do you have to know French to pass the commisioner's exam?
Tom Coemans: To be able to read the menus in the fancy restaurants, Freddy.

Connections
Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #20.4 (2007)

Soundtracks
Some Of Us
Performed by Starsailor
Courtesy of EMI Music Ltd.
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
Played during end credits

User reviews58

Review

Featured review

9/10

Finally a great Belgian "policier"...

It takes a lot of guts to make a Belgian "policier". It's like making an American western without John Wayne, or a French flick without Jean Gabin or Alain Delon.

New times, new directors, new actors... Director Van Looy found his actors. Not only are they good, they are outstanding. Much will be said about the three main actors: Jan Decleir, Koen De Bauw and Werner De Smedt, but look closely at the supporting roles. Hilde De Baerdemaeker is one of the coming Belgian ladies... read my lips!

The script is based on a book by author Jef Geeraerts but for once the adaptation is better.

The dialogues are tongue in cheek, and for fans of "NYPD Blue" or "Homicide" this movie is a real treat. When the lights come on in the theater you want to look at your TV guide and check when the next episode is due...

The camera is nervous, it follows the action closely and the music is very well chosen. Also, without being chauvinistic, it's wonderful to see all the action take place in one of the largest European cities: Antwerp.

One of the best Belgian movies yet? Yes. A nice build up of characters, situations, drama. It's not easy, but it has been done.

Director Van Looy found his real commitment, a police thriller. You can compare this movie with "Memento" (the memory loss) or "Se7en" (the dualism between the two investigators) but better yet to "The Insider". Watch it: you will find out why.