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Rent-a-Friend streaming

2000 Movie Netherlands Romance, Comedy 90 min Ages 0+
By: Eddy Terstall With: Nadja Hüpscher, Ruben van der Meer, Ariane Schluter, Victor Löw, Huub Stapel

In Rent a Friend the talented painter ARTHUR is suffering from an artist's block. Alfred does not bother about becoming rich and famous. He sticks to painting bright coloured Mexican hats. Alfred's total lack of ambition increasingly irritates his girlfriend MONIEK. Moniek is a successful writer of a popular Dutch soap opera and she is continuously accusing Alfred of having no commercial instinct. The soap episodes created by Moniek are totally based on her own life. When Alfred sees one of the episodes, he correctly infers that she is having an affair with the executive producer. He decides to leave Moniek and sets out to show the world that he doesn't have a problem with making money. He starts a company called Rent a Friend and rents himself out as a friend to those in need of one. The concept is so successful that he soon is running a veritable "friends empire". Things really take off when Alfred hires the highly inventive manager Françoise. Moniek, by this time, is lonely and unhappy - perhaps it's time she calls Rent a Friend?

Filmium rating
70%

Mood

Comedic
Humorous
Light
Lighthearted
Reflective
Romantic

Cast & Crew

Eddy Terstall
Ariane Schluter
Ruben van der Meer
Rifka Lodeizen
Huub Stapel
Nadja Hüpscher
Marc van Uchelen
Victor Löw

Cinematic Technique

Character-Driven
Dialogue-Heavy
Visual Storytelling

Narrative Structure

Character-Driven
Conventional
Linear

Pace

Conversational
Moderate
Steady

Style

Romantic Comedy
Slick Production
Tv-Bound

Time-Period

Early 2000S

Central Conflict

Infidelity
Personal Ambition
Relationship Breakdown
Romantic Betrayal

Characters

Artist
Stranger Friends
Writer

Ending

Relationship Breakup
Self-Discovery

Historical Context

Early 2000S

Key Plot Points

Affair Revelation
Artistic Independence
Friend For Hire Start

Plot

Artist Protagonist
Friend-For-Hire Business
Personal Growth
Relationship Dynamics
Romantic Betrayal
Romantic Conflict

Setting

Amsterdam
Contemporary
Everyday Life
Urban

Shooting Location

Amsterdam

Theme

Artistic Independence
Personal Ambition
Relationship Betrayal

Genre

Romantic Comedy

Audiences

Adults
Romantic Comedy Fans

Titles

Rent-A-Friend

Reception

Audience Approval
Critic Comparisons To Woody Allen
Critical Reception
Mixed Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes 80%

Production Countries

Netherlands

Release Year

2000
mowizz ID: f7637854-a861-42fb-89d1-75b9bdf180d3
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