Amazon.com video review:
To a small Dutch town filled with characters known by such
names as Crooked Finger, Loony Lips, and the Mad Madonna, Antonia
returns with her daughter Danielle after 20 years away. Covering the
next 40 years, Antonia's Line looks at the matriarch and her
offspring, stretching out to her great-granddaughter, Sarah. A
whimsical story with fairy-tale conventions, this movie deals with the
cyclical nature of time as well as the strength of women. While this
is not just a "woman's movie," men are regulated to the
background in a story that tells of women breaking free of traditional
roles. Surprisingly, this movie achieves a light-hearted tone while
tackling serious subjects: small-town prejudices, rape, and
suicide. Yet the drama's comedic heart shines through as Antonia
collects a rather odd assortment of people, outsiders who become part
of her extended family. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign
Film, Antonia's Line is moving and beautiful, imparting a sense
of hope and joy to the viewer. --Jenny Brown
