AllMovie

A lively, robust look at 50 years in the life of a remarkable Dutch woman, Antonia's Line is equal parts laid-back comedy and perceptive social commentary. The film is built on character development, thanks to the strengths of director Marleen Gorris and her actors, particularly Willeke van Ammelrooy as Antonia. van Ammelrooy is quite convincing as she ages from 30 to 85, and even more convincing is Gorris' complete belief in the values espoused by the film's characters, and her refusal to question the decisions made by Antonia and her descendents. Theirs is an open-minded, independent existence, free of the need for male protectors or male approval. Although many viewers praised the film's feminist slant, others labelled it one-dimensional male-bashing. Antonia's Line does at times come across as a little too self-satisfied, as if Gorris were hesitant to allow her philosophy to suffer the weight of even mild criticism. Even so, the film remains a delightful paean to independent women, and to the power of carving one's own path instead of merely following someone else's.