15 reviews
The characters were well played and geniune. What a performance by the actors. They made it really human and illustrsted persons struggling with life's choices well.
The attention to detail in the series is unique and you usually don't see this on tv.
Loved the belgian humor at some points. Overall a fantastic series. Hope there will be a third season.
PS. I wonder if the reviews giving a "1" are real..?
The attention to detail in the series is unique and you usually don't see this on tv.
Loved the belgian humor at some points. Overall a fantastic series. Hope there will be a third season.
PS. I wonder if the reviews giving a "1" are real..?
- r-a-Vledder
- Jul 14, 2020
- Permalink
This is my first review on Imdb ever ... because I just watched the complete series and saw a rating of 1 out of 10 ... seriously?!
Yes, it is a bit slow, and there are a few (not a lot) better series.made in Belgium/Flanders, but Over Water is good, solid entertainment. Good actors, good story. I like it.
Yes, it is a bit slow, and there are a few (not a lot) better series.made in Belgium/Flanders, but Over Water is good, solid entertainment. Good actors, good story. I like it.
- daviddegraef
- Aug 1, 2021
- Permalink
Oke series, well enough in acting and developing plot. Not a masterpiece of course but pretty good and fun to watch. Enjoy
Season 1 starts off good, but the story is just spun out over too many episodes. For too long I got the feeling nothing really happened. Season 2 is a clear improvement, however.
Acting is of a very high standard. Special accolades are due for Tom Van Dyck!
Photography : this personal taste, but I am not a fan of the darkish images.
- lnauwelaerts
- May 22, 2020
- Permalink
- johanham2005
- Mar 1, 2019
- Permalink
I just finished watching the last episode of 'Over Water'. I have to say: it's worth watching until the end. The whole story is building to an end and it creates an exciting finale. Now I'm actually sad it came to an end. In season 2 there are some new, interesting characters. Their role is a perfect complement to the storylines of the other characters. It fits the story and is the logical step forward. There is more focus on politics and ambition, which is fascinating. I would definitely recommend the series to anyone who is looking for a good character driven series, based on true events about the war on drugs.
- lukasderuddere
- Apr 28, 2020
- Permalink
The atmosphere of Antwerp is just great. I live near Antwerp and the actors and actresses feel so genuine. It is based on a true story. Makes in even more fascinating.
- marc061267
- Jan 15, 2020
- Permalink
First and foremost, you should know that yours truly is extremely patriotic and never hesitates to promote Belgian films or TV-series that genuinely deserve to be discovered by a wider and international public. In the last 5-10 years, we were quite spoiled here, with new series that balance between good and truly great, and I've always been one of the first reviewers to spread the word beyond our national borders. Series like "Matroesjkas", "Crimi Clowns", "Salamander", "Beau Séjour", "Met Man en Macht", "Gent West" "Tabula Rasa", "Eigen Kweek" or "De Dag" are downright terrific and can easily compete with some of the most qualitative shows from the USA or elsewhere. The aforementioned titles, and certainly others that I forgot to mention or haven't seen yet, all have something in common, though. Even though they have the potential to appeal to global audiences, they are still unmistakably Flemish. Even the ones that are clearly modeled after international successes, like "Tabula Rasa" for example, still maintain that typically Belgian style or narrative that makes them authentic. The biggest (of many) mistake that "Over Water" makes is that it attempts to be something it's not. This isn't one of those prestigious Danish or Swedish crime series, it's not a profoundly psychological drama/thriller series and it most certainly isn't Sunday evening family entertainment!
Usually in user-comments, we briefly describe what the series is about. Well, "Over Water" is about absolutely nothing! Seen over a span of 10 long, slow-paced and dreadfully boring episodes, a lot of stuff took place, but none of it is worth summarizing. A former TV host lost his stardom due to alcoholism and, after rehab, and must accept a job in his father-in-law's company in the Port of Antwerp. He, John Beckers, "accidentally" kills his father-in-law, but gets rid of the body and pretends nothing ever happened. He claims ownership of the company, becomes involved in many corrupt affairs, screws around with his hot secretary and starts drinking again. Meanwhile, his wife falls for his biggest competitor/enemy, his teenage son struggles with homosexuality and his daughter discovers the wild world of sex, drugs and fashion parties. Everything about "Over Water" is predictable and incredibly cliched, but the dullness and hours of pointless padding footage are truly unforgivable.
All the criminal activities going on in a large harbor, like the one in Antwerp, guarantee a lot of potential for realistic thriller series and films, but "Over Water" fails from every angle. The main characters are implausible and downright stupid. Especially John Becker's wife, played by Natali Broods, is beyond pathetic. No woman would ever swallow this many lies and so much deceit; and yet she's supposed to be an intelligent and independent business woman. Perfectly good Flemish actors, like Tom Van Dyck and Frank Vercruyssen, are wasted in inferior roles. And, talking about waste, what about Jeroen Perceval? He's one of Belgium's most talented actors, yet he's lying in a coma and staring at the ceiling throughout the entire show! "Over Water" was written by Tom Lenaerts, but I'm still having difficulties to believe that. Lenaerts invented brilliant TV-concepts, like "Schalkse Ruiters" and even the original idea of the globally copied "The Mole" and penned down the excellent series "Met Man en Macht". How could he possible think this was any good? The direction is in the hands of a duo (Inti Calfat and Dirk Verheye) who undoubtedly consider themselves stylish, visionary and talented. They are not. They are pretentious and uninspired copycats. It already starts with the name they chose for themselves. Norman Bates?!? They seriously couldn't conceive anything new?
Usually in user-comments, we briefly describe what the series is about. Well, "Over Water" is about absolutely nothing! Seen over a span of 10 long, slow-paced and dreadfully boring episodes, a lot of stuff took place, but none of it is worth summarizing. A former TV host lost his stardom due to alcoholism and, after rehab, and must accept a job in his father-in-law's company in the Port of Antwerp. He, John Beckers, "accidentally" kills his father-in-law, but gets rid of the body and pretends nothing ever happened. He claims ownership of the company, becomes involved in many corrupt affairs, screws around with his hot secretary and starts drinking again. Meanwhile, his wife falls for his biggest competitor/enemy, his teenage son struggles with homosexuality and his daughter discovers the wild world of sex, drugs and fashion parties. Everything about "Over Water" is predictable and incredibly cliched, but the dullness and hours of pointless padding footage are truly unforgivable.
All the criminal activities going on in a large harbor, like the one in Antwerp, guarantee a lot of potential for realistic thriller series and films, but "Over Water" fails from every angle. The main characters are implausible and downright stupid. Especially John Becker's wife, played by Natali Broods, is beyond pathetic. No woman would ever swallow this many lies and so much deceit; and yet she's supposed to be an intelligent and independent business woman. Perfectly good Flemish actors, like Tom Van Dyck and Frank Vercruyssen, are wasted in inferior roles. And, talking about waste, what about Jeroen Perceval? He's one of Belgium's most talented actors, yet he's lying in a coma and staring at the ceiling throughout the entire show! "Over Water" was written by Tom Lenaerts, but I'm still having difficulties to believe that. Lenaerts invented brilliant TV-concepts, like "Schalkse Ruiters" and even the original idea of the globally copied "The Mole" and penned down the excellent series "Met Man en Macht". How could he possible think this was any good? The direction is in the hands of a duo (Inti Calfat and Dirk Verheye) who undoubtedly consider themselves stylish, visionary and talented. They are not. They are pretentious and uninspired copycats. It already starts with the name they chose for themselves. Norman Bates?!? They seriously couldn't conceive anything new?
After 2 episodes I had trouble concentrating myself on the story! I was just waiting till another one of the characters would ask or say 'ça va' and get the same answer. Now as this means 'everything ok' there are plenty of alternatives or other options in dutch for this annoying french 'ça va'. But it seems the writers had no inspiration at all. I imagine Paul Baeten Gronda and Tom Lenaerts while writing or meeting, asking each other hundreds of times 'ça va...ça va...ça va...'. And after watching the 10 episodes I can only answer 'ça ne va pas'! I have never seen or read any story in which all of the protagonists act this illogical and stupid.
With his friend Bart De Pauw, Tom Lenaerts made some innovating television. Now that Bart has 'disappeared' after accusations of sexual intimidation it's up to Tom Lenaerts to make some new exciting television. But after turning 50 seems he has completely lost it.
The second season of 'Over Water' has been filmed yet. I'm looking forward to count how many 'ça va's' will be in it. In the end it's the only fun thing in this TV-show. So if this ever comes on Netflix, and you have the opportunity to watch it, do so with a couple of friends and cheer each time you hear a 'ça va', ça va?
With his friend Bart De Pauw, Tom Lenaerts made some innovating television. Now that Bart has 'disappeared' after accusations of sexual intimidation it's up to Tom Lenaerts to make some new exciting television. But after turning 50 seems he has completely lost it.
The second season of 'Over Water' has been filmed yet. I'm looking forward to count how many 'ça va's' will be in it. In the end it's the only fun thing in this TV-show. So if this ever comes on Netflix, and you have the opportunity to watch it, do so with a couple of friends and cheer each time you hear a 'ça va', ça va?
- myriamlenys
- May 4, 2019
- Permalink
Not one actor can say three lines without their cell phone ringing, so distracting and unnecessary. This series was way to drawn out, mundane lifeless characters, insipid dialogue and no compelling story to hold your attention.
- pastafrolla
- Jan 30, 2021
- Permalink
A drug trafficking crime drama in the harbor town sounds great but it quickly turns into a soap with predictable story and characters.
In the second season a politician wants to clean up the harbor of drug trafficking. This seems like a good premise to focus back on the drugs and murder but it mainly introduces new despicable characters to an already terrible soap family drama, where nothing matters and it's all about who does who. Again same conclusion, as a local of Antwerp it's interesting because of the location but don't bother watching this crap if you aren't.
- koffice-979-41630
- Jul 6, 2020
- Permalink
Season 2 is a little bit better but still full of nonsense, a pathetic script and annoying, badly casted characters. Ca va, ca va, ca va, ca va? No! No tention, no developments, no logic, no need to watch.
Very slow and typical Flemish.Always same players.Old costumes. Story is very ok.
- harry-cools
- Jul 6, 2020
- Permalink