AllMovie

In this Dutch drama a couple in their thirties struggles as they are torn between their deep love for each other and the tremendous conflicts between them. It is set in an area of Amsterdam, down by the docks, filled with counter-cultural people. Lou, a bit of a hippy, is a singer and political activist. Her lover Bob, is a conservative lawyer who works in a firm that does not endorse activities such as Lou's. They constantly, quietly disagree. He wants children; she doesn't. He wants her to fix up her houseboat; she likes it rundown and funky. When a project to fix up the docks begins, the tensions between the couple increase dramatically. Bob throws himself into his work while Lou becomes increasingly insecure as her neighborhood is slowly destroyed. Also adding stress to her life is the recent drowning of a refugee friend who died escaping the police, and the impending death of her HIV positive-singing partner. Her surprise pregnancy only exacerbates their problems.