15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Missing The Heroes, Villains, Replicants, April 13, 2008
If you are reading this review, then chances are you are also a fan of Rutger Hauer. He has appeared in some of the seminal roles of film history...I don't need to mention the obvious ones i.e Roy Batty. There was Soldier Martin in Flesh & Blood and of course the role that broke the mould in Turkish Delight, a film which I thoroughly recommend. The hitcher was chilling. There were also the many many doozies - really bad films that Rutger somehow managed to find himself in. Lets face it he has done may of these, Omega Doom, Cold Blood to name but a few.
The book promises on the surface to reveal something of the man himself. I expected to hear his side of things, why for instance did he make some of these obviously poor choices. Here was an opportunity to open up to the reader. But alas it never quite breaks the surface. Autobiographies usually reveal something of the pscyche within. Rutger chooses not to expose this. When he mentions his parents and their departure when he was still a child, our appetite is whetted. We want to hear more...but then he moves on never quite settling on anything too long. Yes it was interesting to learn that he left with the merchant navy at such a young age (he was 15) but we are never allowed more than a furtive glance into the man's life.
Part of what attracts people to this man has been the mystery that surrounds him and his refusal to fit in with the Hollywood stereotype. This is why I would have liked to hear more from him on a personal level. His need for privacy is legendary and we can well understand this. But when one elects to write a biography, the reader expects a little more insight than has been generally available. This book could have been so much more.
We don't hear much about his wife nor why they decided not have any children. O.K I know this is personal stuff but it would have given us a more complete picture of the man. You get the feeling that in the last few chapters he is scurrying towards the finish...he just wants to get it out of the way.
The last section of the book just regurgitates diary entries which can be read on his website (a good one by the way) but we needed to learn something new.
I think Rutger has been phenomenal in those roles that were made for him but he could have delved a whole lot deeper. Instead I'm left feeling a little cheated by the lack of the juicy bits. 'His craft' is overstated. What prompted him to accept so many bad roles is never quite dealt with. Yes of course Rutger you needed the money but come on there was no artistry here!
You will still want to read this especially as the money goes to his very worthy charity but just don't expect new insights into the actor or the man.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Moments, great reading., May 8, 2007
This is a true treat for Rutger Hauer fans. Very interesting reading. The stories behind such great films as Blade Runner, The Hitcher, Ladyhawke, Nighthawks, etc are fascinating. I highly recommend this book. As a plus, the profits from this book go towards Rutgers Starfish program to help HIV/AIDS patients. Keep up the good work.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining but missing vital information, January 11, 2008
While I do recommend this book if you are a fan (which I most definitely am) what disappointed me was his complete elision of the literally dozens of stinkers he's participated in. After the mid-1980's he seemed to sink out of sight for US audiences, but I'd see him in absolutely awful B movies routinely on some cable channel and wonder "Who on earth did he tick off?" For a man of such talent to do that many poorly written/filmed movies - well I'd like to know "why?"! Michael Caine has also participated in his share of terrible movies, but he's always been upfront about it, ala "I'm a working bloke and a check's a check" which I find refreshingly honest. But Rutger never addresses the issue: I wasn't looking for apologies or hand-wringing, but an explanation. Does he love to travel and to heck with the movie? Would he rather work than not? Is home comfy but boring? His good work demonstrates without question he can keep an audience's attention as well as any star, but honestly I wondered if his string of less-than-B movies was a result of some serious toe-stepping on... or....? He seems like a wonderfully down to earth fellow, and it's nice to read a movie star memoir heavy on praise and light on criticism, and his work for the charity he founded gets him a 'crown in heaven' according to my Nana. It's a fun read, just don't expect any answers to his more questionable choices.
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