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Paul Verhoeven is a transgressive master filmmaker !


Paul Verhoeven never got the credit he truly deserves,
but with every failed remake/sequel of his unique Hollywood films
it becomes more apparent, what a difference a great director makes!

It becomes undeniable that he is a true auteur.

What made Paul Verhoeven so different from the rest of the bunch?

-His liberal sexual morals
-His ironic, acid, cool worldview
-His honesty, which is easily mistaken as misanthropy
-His naturalistic & materialistic representations of the human body
-His surrealist drive for provocation, nearly unique in the realm of the blockbuster cinema
-His great talent in using CGI / FX as an organic storytelling device

He is a unique mix of characteristics that can't be remade.

Even Paul Verhoevens less successful Hollywood films like "Showgirls" (the script & actors didn't get the satire quite right) or "Hollow Man" (a very good SiFi-Thriller with some 3rd act script weaknesses)are far superior to most films produced today:
You will find even in his lesser movies always unique moments, daring direction and great scenes worthy of a master.

His truly great films ("Black Book", "Robocop", "Total Recall", "Starship Troopers", "Turkish Delight") are genuine masterpieces that did stand the test of time.

I would love Paul Verhoeven to direct his "Jesus of Nazareth" or "Crusade" or another R-rated blockbuster or a Dutch movie, because I really miss his style !




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Agreed.

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...and now he's back with a masterpiece !

"Elle" is great & I hope he'll do more films now in Europe !

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