Soof 2 (Esme Lammers, 2016): Netherlands

Reviewed by C. Zangi Angeli viewed at the Lobero theater at Santa Barbara  International Film Festival, 2017.

You loved the romantic comedy of Soof now known as Soof 1 since the anticipated Soof 2 has been released.  Soof is short for Sophie and Soof2 is again a  romantic robust comedy directed by Esme Lammers.  The question is will you love Soof2 as much as Soof 1?    If you like comedy I am sure you will like Soof2 but maybe not as much as Soof1.  Reviews say Soof2 is not as good as the first Soof. But I have to ask why do you have to like one over the other?  Both were funny and delightful and I do not understand why anyone would be disappointed.  I liked it and it played out well for me and it was a graduation of Soof”s  life.  Soof and Kasper go their own ways with separate homes as Kasper dallies. with a woman a couple of decades younger than him.  We all know generally how that turns out.  Kasper is prominent in the movie as he goes through his thing.  Soof  is ho hum and  can’t seem to get motivated and stays in a zone that is hard to shake for her.  Some of you can relate to that.  It happens!  Her restaurant is not making money and bills are piling up and Soof is caring less and it all starts to go down hill.  Soof finally starts to get it together and that is what most of the movie is about.   Soof hires a new quirky chief named Bauke, who eventually turns her restaurant around with edgy cuisine that is artful as well as delectable. The beautiful photography shots of the food is enormously gratifying. Amazing and quite sensuous! The restaurant attracts a new clientele.  Soof starts to feel a new surge in her and makes things happen.   Bauke takes an interest in Soof and she starts to feel more alive and creative herself.   The story unwinds with a great soundtrack.  I found it humorous and enjoyed the romance.  Soof is a woman who finds herself again and reinvents herself.  Yes, its been done but that is what life is about. There are many successful sequels and there are many that are not  so good.  But Soof2 satisfies and if you have seen Soof, the first film then  don’t you want to find out what happens to Soof?  I know I did. There are some weak moments in the film but overall I say you will laugh, relate and be entertained.  This is a Dutch movie with subtitles at this time.