Nearly 20 years after the Belgian crime thriller 'De Zaak Alzheimer' ("The Alzheimer Case") became a blockbuster in this country, the Hollywood remake of the film, titled Memory, is being released today.
'De Zaak Alzheimer,' a film adaptation of a novel of the same name by Jef Geeraerts directed by Erik Van Looy, attracted over 755,000 Belgian viewers to the cinema in 2003. While these figures may seem relatively low compared to big Hollywood blockbusters, the film was (and still is) among the most-watched Belgian films of all time.
Five years later, Van Looy broke his own record with his film 'Loft,' which is still Belgium's most successful film of all time, with almost 1.2 million visitors.
The original film – often seen as a turning point for Belgian film – follows a contract killer whose symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are becoming increasingly clear, and two police officers trying to arrest him. The leading roles are played by Jan Decleir, Koen De Bouw and Werner De Smedt, three well-known Flemish actors.
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In the American version of the movi, directed by Martin Campbell, who also made the James Bond movies Goldeneye and Casino Royale, the hitman who is slowly losing his memory is played by Liam Neeson – best known for his role in the 'Taken' movies.
"I cannot stress enough how fantastic I thought the Belgian film was," he told Het Laatste Nieuws in a Zoom interview. "There was nothing wrong with the original, but I immediately saw how it would also work perfectly in an American context. I have played quite a lot of killers and assassins, you see, it is pretty much my thing. But this film, it was different... After I read the script, I did not hesitate for a second."
More action, less chatter
The Belgian De Bouw-De Smedt police duo is replaced by one single FBI agent in the Hollywood version, portrayed by Guy Pearce. The villain on duty is none other than Italian actress and former top model Monica Bellucci, whose part was played by a man in the Belgian version.
Belgian director Erik Van Looy previously told Flemish media that he is satisfied with the American version, even if the focus of the film is a bit different. "Our film was a bit melancholic, this is a kind of popcorn version. More action, less character-driven chatter. But 'Memory' is certainly not a weak copy of 'De Zaak Alzheimer,' I am happy with how it turned out."
'Memory' comes out in Belgian cinemas today (on Wednesday), and on Friday in the US.
