“The Dutchman” Movie Review

Plot: A successful Black businessman (Andre Holland), haunted by his crumbling marriage and identity crisis, is drawn into a sexualized game of cat and mouse with a mysterious white woman (Kate Mara) on a subway that leads to a violent conclusion!

What Is “A Dutchman?”

    To put it frankly, after watching the film, I believe that a Dutchman symbolizes a man grappling with his identity and role in society, who is exhausted by the pressure to present a false persona to appease American societal norms. The narrative follows Clay, a successful Black businessman, as he embarks on a seemingly routine journey on the New York subway. During this trip, he encounters Lula, a seductive yet menacing white woman who represents the insidious nature of systemic racism. Their interaction becomes increasingly surreal and nightmarish as Lula probes into Clay’s racial identity and forces him to confront deeply rooted issues of racial consciousness and the historical oppression faced by Black men in America.

The Tense Friction

This tense confrontation spirals into a violent and tragic climax, echoing the haunting legacy of the Flying Dutchman’s curse and drawing parallels to the transatlantic slave trade. The film invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of identity, societal expectations, and the enduring impact of a troubled past. Clay struggles with his assimilation versus his Black identity, questioning his place in a society that judges him by his skin, a concept explored through his therapy and interactions.

The Symbolism of It All

Lula, adorned in her striking red attire and wielding her cunning, manipulative tactics, embodies the destructive force of white racism. She skillfully uses seduction and false accusations—such as the egregious charge of rape—as lethal weapons of control, reflecting the deep-seated patterns of historical oppression. In addition, the allegory of the “Flying Dutchman” illuminates the subway itself, which serves as a cursed vessel eternally confined to a predetermined, inescapable route. In this grim narrative, Clay becomes a modern-day slave, ensnared in the relentless cycle of history. Lastly, we encounter the motif of the Forbidden Fruit and Eve. Lula’s apple serves as a powerful reference to the biblical story of Eve, casting Lula in the role of the seductress who leads Clay down a treacherous path to his own demise.

A “True” Psychological Ideal

While I may not find the film particularly impressive overall, one aspect shines through: the character of Lula embodies a profound and significant concept. Like Clay, she is both real and symbolic, illustrating that she isn’t merely a figment of his imagination. Lula represents white America and its complex relationship with Black manhood, highlighting the struggle against assimilation and annihilation. Furthermore, she plays the role of Eve to Clay’s Adam, offering him an apple, mirroring the biblical narrative. This dynamic invites reflection on identity and resilience.