I feel the earlier 2 comments were very detailed and sufficient. Nevertheless would like to add on some personal comments.I have just watched this movie at the European Film Festival here in KL. Having lived in Malaysia for 26 years it was a real treat to watch a Dutch movie on the big screen here. It made me feel quite nostalgic to see all the typical Dutch scenery, habits and other trivia. And then those cats attributed with typical Dutch characters. Lovely! The audience here was of the same opinion as I heard a lot of them laughing out loud. This movie is especially great for children AND adults with a ticklish inner child!! Praise for the acting of Carice van Houten. I thought she was more real and believable as a catwoman than Halle Berry!
17 Reviews
Terrific Dutch film for all ages
rbverhoef16 May 2004
I love this Dutch film in any way possible. It has charm, it is funny and sweet and most of all it is heartwarming. It starts with a simple premise. A cat changes into a young woman because she eats from some chemical stuff in a barrel. She, Minoes (Carice van Houten), is allowed to stay with Tibbe (Theo Maassen). He is a reporter who is about to get fired but since Minoes can help him with some news which she hears from other cats, she saves his job. They make a deal. She can stay, but she must provide Tibbe with some news.
Mr. Ellemeet (Pierre Bokma) is the hero of the town. He seems to be a very good man but Minoes and the other cats slowly discover that he is not that good after all. Now the shy Tibbe wants to help the cats and expose Mr. Ellemeet but he has no prove besides the stories of cats. Minoes, the other cats and a girl named Bibi (Sarah Bannier) who lives next door come up with a plan to help Tibbe.
The simple story is based on a novel written by Annie M.G. Schmidt, who was and is probably the most read author for children books in The Netherlands. Although it is quite simple it has so many nice touches you almost forget the simplicity. The nice little touches deal with Minoes who has a struggle with herself. She is a cat but slowly becomes a human being. The hunger for fish and birds and the need to climb trees when dogs are near are those little nice things.
Carice van Houten plays her part extremely well. It may seem pretty easy what she does but that is only because of her. Theo Maassen finds the right note for his character as well and Pierre Bokma is a good villain. The performances are good and it looks very good as well, exactly the way a movie like this should look. The movie is perfect for children and I think that adults will have at least the same amount of fun. There is simply nothing wrong with this movie considering it is for the whole family. If you want to see a great family film, try this Dutch little treasure.
Note: A nice fact is that Jan Roelfs is the co-producer. He was Oscar-nominated as the production designer for 'Orlando' and 'Gattaca' and is the production designer for the upcoming 'Alexander' from Oliver Stone.
Mr. Ellemeet (Pierre Bokma) is the hero of the town. He seems to be a very good man but Minoes and the other cats slowly discover that he is not that good after all. Now the shy Tibbe wants to help the cats and expose Mr. Ellemeet but he has no prove besides the stories of cats. Minoes, the other cats and a girl named Bibi (Sarah Bannier) who lives next door come up with a plan to help Tibbe.
The simple story is based on a novel written by Annie M.G. Schmidt, who was and is probably the most read author for children books in The Netherlands. Although it is quite simple it has so many nice touches you almost forget the simplicity. The nice little touches deal with Minoes who has a struggle with herself. She is a cat but slowly becomes a human being. The hunger for fish and birds and the need to climb trees when dogs are near are those little nice things.
Carice van Houten plays her part extremely well. It may seem pretty easy what she does but that is only because of her. Theo Maassen finds the right note for his character as well and Pierre Bokma is a good villain. The performances are good and it looks very good as well, exactly the way a movie like this should look. The movie is perfect for children and I think that adults will have at least the same amount of fun. There is simply nothing wrong with this movie considering it is for the whole family. If you want to see a great family film, try this Dutch little treasure.
Note: A nice fact is that Jan Roelfs is the co-producer. He was Oscar-nominated as the production designer for 'Orlando' and 'Gattaca' and is the production designer for the upcoming 'Alexander' from Oliver Stone.
Heart-warming, funny and not only for children.
jroen11 December 2001
December 2001. Amidst the noise of the other novel adaptations (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Discovery of Heaven) comes a simple, loveable, heart-warming story of a cat that turned into a young lady.
Based on the famous children's book by Annie M.G. Schmidt, the movie tells of a young lady Minoes who takes shelter at Tibbe's house. Tibbe is a shy reporter on the verge of getting fired, because he is too afraid to go up to people to get any news. But Minoes turns out to be a big help. She still speaks with cats and in this way she hears about all the things happening in town. She tells tibbe the news and in return he lets her stay at his room. Things get complicated as Minoes and Tibbe find out about an evil plan of one of the town's most fore-standing men. But with help of the cats and Tibbe's neighbour-girl Bibi, they are too good a team to be beaten.
The story is one thing, but there is more to enjoy. The overall feeling of a small-town community comes through well. The characters are clearly drawn-out, the situations are simple and the world-events are fare away. People care about the fish-car that got crashed and a pot of golden coins found in the cemetary.
In that environment we get to know Minoes, played by Carice van Houten. She puts the problems and enjoyments of being a young lady with cat-qualities convincingly to the screen. She climbs roofs, is fond of fish and is terrified of even the smallest dog. Throughout the movie she more and more finds a balance between being human and cat at the same time. And that is the most important theme of the movie, being happy with your self and standing up for that. Tibbe, the reporter, has to overcome his shyness to stand up to the evil plans of mr. Ellemeet and convince the townspeople of those evil plans. But fortunately he has Minoes, Bibi and bunch of cats to back him up. Tibbe, played by comedian Theo Maassen, is fun to watch and really makes you feel for his problems.
And there is more, like the talking cats that all have different personalities, all the other actors that do great jobs, the typically dutch look and feel of the movie etc. But above all Minoes shows us the heart-warming qualities and timelessness of a well-made, old-fashioned, simple story. Treat yourself and take your kids or somebody elses.
Based on the famous children's book by Annie M.G. Schmidt, the movie tells of a young lady Minoes who takes shelter at Tibbe's house. Tibbe is a shy reporter on the verge of getting fired, because he is too afraid to go up to people to get any news. But Minoes turns out to be a big help. She still speaks with cats and in this way she hears about all the things happening in town. She tells tibbe the news and in return he lets her stay at his room. Things get complicated as Minoes and Tibbe find out about an evil plan of one of the town's most fore-standing men. But with help of the cats and Tibbe's neighbour-girl Bibi, they are too good a team to be beaten.
The story is one thing, but there is more to enjoy. The overall feeling of a small-town community comes through well. The characters are clearly drawn-out, the situations are simple and the world-events are fare away. People care about the fish-car that got crashed and a pot of golden coins found in the cemetary.
In that environment we get to know Minoes, played by Carice van Houten. She puts the problems and enjoyments of being a young lady with cat-qualities convincingly to the screen. She climbs roofs, is fond of fish and is terrified of even the smallest dog. Throughout the movie she more and more finds a balance between being human and cat at the same time. And that is the most important theme of the movie, being happy with your self and standing up for that. Tibbe, the reporter, has to overcome his shyness to stand up to the evil plans of mr. Ellemeet and convince the townspeople of those evil plans. But fortunately he has Minoes, Bibi and bunch of cats to back him up. Tibbe, played by comedian Theo Maassen, is fun to watch and really makes you feel for his problems.
And there is more, like the talking cats that all have different personalities, all the other actors that do great jobs, the typically dutch look and feel of the movie etc. But above all Minoes shows us the heart-warming qualities and timelessness of a well-made, old-fashioned, simple story. Treat yourself and take your kids or somebody elses.
Fantastical world and story for all ages
peffs20 June 2003
This was my favorite film at the Seattle International Film Festival in 2002. This bright tale of a woman who is really a cat has all the charm of a fairy tale and the timeless and romantic feel of Amelie or Mary Poppins.
The story is simple. A cat turns into a woman after coming across some unknown nasty stuff spilled from a barrel. She finds herself stuck on the rooftops of her small town not sure which world she now belongs to - human or feline. She trips into the life of a struggling reporter and they both finds ways to help each other and expose the local business hero as the cad that he is.
Everything from the set designs to the action was well crafted. The result was such a treasure that I'd love to own a DVD copy but can't find any. Somehow I think if the US companies (please, not the new Disney!) got their hands on this they would ruin it's European charm. Please, please distribute this or release a DVD.
The story is simple. A cat turns into a woman after coming across some unknown nasty stuff spilled from a barrel. She finds herself stuck on the rooftops of her small town not sure which world she now belongs to - human or feline. She trips into the life of a struggling reporter and they both finds ways to help each other and expose the local business hero as the cad that he is.
Everything from the set designs to the action was well crafted. The result was such a treasure that I'd love to own a DVD copy but can't find any. Somehow I think if the US companies (please, not the new Disney!) got their hands on this they would ruin it's European charm. Please, please distribute this or release a DVD.
simply great
SijtzevanderMeer2 February 2002
there is nothing more to say, it ìs simply great: good story, good actors, straightforward and heartwarming... Carice van Houten is an ideal Minoes, Thea Maassen is a believeable Tibbe, the cats are welltrained and the voices are wellcast, the atmosphere of it all is simple, typical Dutch...
great movie when you like cats
liona_samplonius12 December 2001
Like all of annie m.g. schmidts novels, Minoes is a creative, crazy and fantastic children's story. I've read the story when I was a little girl, and I was very anxious when I heard they were going to make a movie of it. But when I saw it, I was rather disappointed, although I liked the cats and the actors. I think it's a nice movie for little children, and for people whom like cats, but when you're planning to get nostalgic, don't go see it!
All within a nice movie, certainly for Dutch understandings. Regrettably it appeared at the same time as the famous Harry Potter (great movie b.t.w)
All within a nice movie, certainly for Dutch understandings. Regrettably it appeared at the same time as the famous Harry Potter (great movie b.t.w)
Good movie with a little more changes to the original story than necessary.
Doohickey7 January 2002
This was a fairly charming film, mostly because of the talking among the cats and good acting from the leading Lady (or should that be leading Cat?). I read the original a long time a go, but a friend of mine who had reread it recently said that a lot of elements had been changed and she couldn't quite see what the benefits were.
Here's one for the GOOFS category, occurring during a scene in which mayor Ellemeet gets into a showdown with a cat in an alley. The guy is supposed to be alone, but a crew member can be seen quite clearly in a reflection in one of the windows of his car.
Here's one for the GOOFS category, occurring during a scene in which mayor Ellemeet gets into a showdown with a cat in an alley. The guy is supposed to be alone, but a crew member can be seen quite clearly in a reflection in one of the windows of his car.
another great dutch comedy
Andy-2968 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know a lot about dutch cinema, haven't even seen a lot of dutch movies, but a lot of the dutch films I have seen (specially comedies) seem to me to be consistently great, generally commercial but very entertaining and thought provoking (you can check my comments to see my opinion on a number of these movies). This is apparently based on a very popular children's book I haven't read. A cat turns into a woman after coming across some chemical stuff spilled from a barrel. She finds herself transformed into a woman on the rooftops of her small town. Eventually, she takes refuge in the apartment of a struggling but honest reporter, and through her ability to communicate with her fellow cats, she helps him expose a case of local corruption (a scoop that saves him from being fired from his newspaper). This movie wouldn't work as well as it does without the charming Carice Van Houten performance as the titular woman/cat. Theo Massen's performance as the shy reporter is also great.
Simple movie that's great for the kids.
Boba_Fett113820 September 2005
This is a great movie for kids. The story is very simple and doesn't also make sense but therefor is perfectly easy and fun to follow for the young ones. Also cat lovers will simply adore this movie, the cats play quite a prominent role in the movie and the trained cats are mixed in well with the good and convincing looking puppet-doubles.
The movie is very childish, so childless-adults beware! This probably isn't the right movie for you to watch. I can babble on about the technical aspects and acting in this movie but it don't think that's completely relevant for this movie. This movie is obviously made for young children, who don't care about any of the technical aspects of a movie. So parents simply stop reading now and just buy/rent this movie for your children already! They will have fun and be entertained by it.
It isn't really a movie were an awful lot is wrong with, it's just a movie that is too simple in every way, to be considered a great and memorable movie. I also have to say that I wasn't exactly fond of the musical score by Peter Vermeersch. It's this typical simple musical score, were I can't quite put my finger on, or describe it to you. To put it short and simple (just like this movie), it was just terrible to listen to.
The cast consists out of many well known Dutch actors and a famous voice cast for the cats. Pierre Bokma is on of the best Dutch actors at the moment and he plays a great and enjoyable villain role in this movie. This was Carice van Houten's big breakthrough movie and she is currently filming "Zwartboek" with Paul Verhoeven, in which she plays the main role. The voice cast has some recognizable voices in it, especially Wim T. Schippers, who is the Dutch voice for Kermit the Frog and Ernie for the Dutch "Sesame Street" and who believe it or not, actually used the live in the same street as I did, here in Groningen. And no, with the same street I don't mean that I lived in Sesame Street...
I haven't read the book this movie is based on, written by Annie M.G. Schmidt, so unfortunately I can't comment on whether or not this movie is loyal enough, to the book its story and atmosphere.
It isn't a great or remarkable movie but children will simply be entertained by it and that's the most important thing of course.
6/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
The movie is very childish, so childless-adults beware! This probably isn't the right movie for you to watch. I can babble on about the technical aspects and acting in this movie but it don't think that's completely relevant for this movie. This movie is obviously made for young children, who don't care about any of the technical aspects of a movie. So parents simply stop reading now and just buy/rent this movie for your children already! They will have fun and be entertained by it.
It isn't really a movie were an awful lot is wrong with, it's just a movie that is too simple in every way, to be considered a great and memorable movie. I also have to say that I wasn't exactly fond of the musical score by Peter Vermeersch. It's this typical simple musical score, were I can't quite put my finger on, or describe it to you. To put it short and simple (just like this movie), it was just terrible to listen to.
The cast consists out of many well known Dutch actors and a famous voice cast for the cats. Pierre Bokma is on of the best Dutch actors at the moment and he plays a great and enjoyable villain role in this movie. This was Carice van Houten's big breakthrough movie and she is currently filming "Zwartboek" with Paul Verhoeven, in which she plays the main role. The voice cast has some recognizable voices in it, especially Wim T. Schippers, who is the Dutch voice for Kermit the Frog and Ernie for the Dutch "Sesame Street" and who believe it or not, actually used the live in the same street as I did, here in Groningen. And no, with the same street I don't mean that I lived in Sesame Street...
I haven't read the book this movie is based on, written by Annie M.G. Schmidt, so unfortunately I can't comment on whether or not this movie is loyal enough, to the book its story and atmosphere.
It isn't a great or remarkable movie but children will simply be entertained by it and that's the most important thing of course.
6/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
Lovely European film
Remster4 January 2004
If you like European films like Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, you'll most certainly want to see this one, because it's got the same charm and will give you a good feeling afterwards. I'm not sure this movie's available overseas in the U.S., but if you can get your hands on it, buy it, you won't be disappointed!
Cute, Entertaining, Enjoyable! Especially for Cat Lovers
rannynm3 August 2012
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Brianna Hope Beaton (age 12) reviews the film below: Video review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqC3Wk6_bKc
This is a very cute, entertaining and enjoyable film with lots and lots of cats. I like this film, because it has a little humor and creativity. I love how Miss Minoes (Carice van Houten) turns from a cat into a human and still has all her cat like instincts. To me this is a very challenging role to be able to switch back and forth like that throughout the film. I really start to enjoy this film when Miss Minoes become friends with the humans and see how she is communicating and reacting to them. This is really cool. I like how most of the background music is upbeat and goes beautifully with the specific scenes. Miss Minoes is a Siamese cat that is curious and gets herself changed into a young woman by drinking some dangerous chemicals. She dresses and talks like a young woman, but also eat and climb trees like a cat. She finds and helps a shy journalist, Tibbe (Theo Maassen), prove to his town that they have a villain for a factory boss that is not to be trusted. She gets all the latest and greatest information from all her little cat friends and passes it to Tibbe. Vincent Bal directs Miss Minoes which is an adaptation of the 1970 novel by Annie M.G. Schmidt and was released in the Netherlands in 2001. This film is dubbed in English, is easy for follow and enjoyable. Another main character is Bibi (Sarah Bannier) who is Tibbe's closest friend but also is a kid. A couple of great messages in this film are to respect each other's differences and to not judge a book by its cover, because Miss Minoes outside appearance is a woman, but underneath she is truly a cat. Miss Minoes is great for ages 8 to 12 and mostly girls who love cats will definitely enjoy this film. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars because, although it's a great cat film, I just think it has a little too many cats for a dog lover like me. Miss Minoes is overall a good film and I'm sure you will like it as well. So don't forget to get your copy on DVD or Blue ray and always listen to your felines.
This is a very cute, entertaining and enjoyable film with lots and lots of cats. I like this film, because it has a little humor and creativity. I love how Miss Minoes (Carice van Houten) turns from a cat into a human and still has all her cat like instincts. To me this is a very challenging role to be able to switch back and forth like that throughout the film. I really start to enjoy this film when Miss Minoes become friends with the humans and see how she is communicating and reacting to them. This is really cool. I like how most of the background music is upbeat and goes beautifully with the specific scenes. Miss Minoes is a Siamese cat that is curious and gets herself changed into a young woman by drinking some dangerous chemicals. She dresses and talks like a young woman, but also eat and climb trees like a cat. She finds and helps a shy journalist, Tibbe (Theo Maassen), prove to his town that they have a villain for a factory boss that is not to be trusted. She gets all the latest and greatest information from all her little cat friends and passes it to Tibbe. Vincent Bal directs Miss Minoes which is an adaptation of the 1970 novel by Annie M.G. Schmidt and was released in the Netherlands in 2001. This film is dubbed in English, is easy for follow and enjoyable. Another main character is Bibi (Sarah Bannier) who is Tibbe's closest friend but also is a kid. A couple of great messages in this film are to respect each other's differences and to not judge a book by its cover, because Miss Minoes outside appearance is a woman, but underneath she is truly a cat. Miss Minoes is great for ages 8 to 12 and mostly girls who love cats will definitely enjoy this film. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars because, although it's a great cat film, I just think it has a little too many cats for a dog lover like me. Miss Minoes is overall a good film and I'm sure you will like it as well. So don't forget to get your copy on DVD or Blue ray and always listen to your felines.
Excuse me, did you take special classes to make such a bad movie?
chabchab25 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
All in all it is one of the most awful movies I have yet seen. Acting, bad; directing, bad; SGI BAD; dubbing, horrible. First, story in the book might have made sense, but this movie had no story line that could been followed. Catwoman appears at a creepy guy's shabby place (creepy guy, because his only friend is the landlady's 12 year old daughter). Actor of the main guy could not make me like him in this role no matter what. Just simply creepy. The dubbing was like a Japanese movie parody. Mouths and speech was off sync. Catwoman (actress allergic to cats) trying to imitate a feline, but even tho she has charm, she has no cat quality to her. There is no real plot other than trying to unmask the baddie and collecting cat gossip in the town. If you have seen Cats and Dogs you might expect better animal SGI. The cats in most part looked like worn out shabby stuffed toys, even the real live kittens looked like their furs were matted and mangy. The mouth animation was so painfully awful it made me cringe. Cats and Dogs, came out the same time had much higher standards. The the motion of the puppets was choppy and unrealistic. Instead of watching this movie try do somethings else, you never gonna get back that hour and a half. Never.
Excellent
ivo5 October 2002
While most Dutch movies are hard, cold and violent this prooves that a Dutch crew can make a heartwarming film. Based on a children's book Minoes is one of the best films, if not THE best Dutch film, in a long time. Minoes is very convincing as a shy lady and oposite Tibbe is an excellent shy reporter. Everything from the acting, situations, details to story are original and very entertaining (always capturing the original spirit of the book). Very well done, very much worthwhile. Do get the DVD!
A lovely movie with a lot of funny moments
chateau_dwars2 August 2007
Carice van Houten, now famous for her role in Zwartboek, is a great actress and knows how to get her audience's attention. In Minoes, she is a very sweet and fun girl and together with Theo Maassen she really put together a lovely movie. Though not more than 1 hour of entertainment, this movie is something you could watch over and over and over again. Why? It's lighthearted, very funny and brings out the genius that was Annie M.G. Schmidt, who wrote the story years ago. The power of this movies is also the voices of the cats. Famous Dutch people like Wim T. Schippers, a.k.a. Ernie (Bert and Ernie), and Hans Teeuwen, a renowed Dutch comedian make funny jokes all the time and besides it's really fun to hear someone be a cat. If you enjoyed this movie, I highly recommend Ja Zuster, Nee Zuster, which has a similar class and quality. Go ahead and watch them and have a great time!
Not Your Ordinary Cat Story
dgz7820 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
How many times have you wanted to watch a nice cute cat movie and when you pop in the DVD from Blockbuster or Redbox you are once again let down. Cat Ballou, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Truth About Cats and Dogs all disappoint. And don't even get me started on Fritz The Cat.
But Miss Minoes will not disappoint. Sure it's your typical boy meets cat, boy loses cat, boy wins cat plot but it does a great job telling the story.
Carice van Houten is a winsome Minoes, the cat in a woman's body. She moves and reacts like you would expect a cat to do, something that I doubt is stressed enough in acting classes anywhere in the world.
The plot is simple enough to have been used in most sitcoms for the last 50 years but van Houten, Theo Maassen, and Sara Banier elevate it to where you don't care that a 10 year old can see every plot turn miles ahead. It's their performances that are responsible for most of this movie's charm.
A word about the cats used in the movie. I train dogs and would never want to even try to train cats for a living. The people that were responsible for the cats in this movie probably deserve an Oscar or some award because it had to have been literally herding cats at times.
No one is going to confuse Miss Minoes with a Bergman film and it's unlikely to be studied in any USC film classes. But maybe it should because this is a film anyone of any age can watch and enjoy and goodness knows not every graduate from USC could make a movie as much fun to watch. And you don't have to be a cat person to like it.
But Miss Minoes will not disappoint. Sure it's your typical boy meets cat, boy loses cat, boy wins cat plot but it does a great job telling the story.
Carice van Houten is a winsome Minoes, the cat in a woman's body. She moves and reacts like you would expect a cat to do, something that I doubt is stressed enough in acting classes anywhere in the world.
The plot is simple enough to have been used in most sitcoms for the last 50 years but van Houten, Theo Maassen, and Sara Banier elevate it to where you don't care that a 10 year old can see every plot turn miles ahead. It's their performances that are responsible for most of this movie's charm.
A word about the cats used in the movie. I train dogs and would never want to even try to train cats for a living. The people that were responsible for the cats in this movie probably deserve an Oscar or some award because it had to have been literally herding cats at times.
No one is going to confuse Miss Minoes with a Bergman film and it's unlikely to be studied in any USC film classes. But maybe it should because this is a film anyone of any age can watch and enjoy and goodness knows not every graduate from USC could make a movie as much fun to watch. And you don't have to be a cat person to like it.
Cat Press Service has best reporting
angelbizkits23 October 2021
The acting in this film was amazing. While there were a few swears in the American voice overs, I think it is still wonderful. Carice van Houten's portrayal of a cat turned human is great. Her movements as she comes out from under the table and her eye and head motions are absolutely feline. Great film for the family!
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