I found this movie to be extremely entertaining. It has been a long time since I've laughed so many times watching a movie. Apart from the splendid Amsterdam-style humor (which I've also had the pleasure to experience in real life) I also found this movie to be of great inspirational value. Specifically, Simon is a very positive and relaxed guy who goes through life in a cheerful and carefree way. Even when his death becomes imminent he remains mostly upbeat and full of humor. I think that is something of value we could all take away from it. It will be hard to swallow for moralistic people as it contains many controversial topics. Watch it as just a comedy, don't be bothered about the controversies too much. I don't know what is more extreme, this movie or most others that are full of killing, shooting and violence.

I saw Simon in the cinema and it was a fantastic experience. Simon is a summary of Dutch culture and especially the Amsterdam subculture. The actors are all standouts in this movie and have the performances of their careers. I agree with previous comments that Cees Geel's performance was Oscarworthy. I watch movies everyday and I must say Simon was the best I have seen in YEARS! First of all, Simon is about Holland. Holland was once famous for windmills, cheese, tulips and wooden shoes. These days we (the Dutch) are famous for gay marriage, euthanasia, legalized prostitution, legalized marihuana use and islamofascist murders. In other countries themes like these give people the feeling of a modern Sodom & Gomorra.This movie sets the right mood from the start. It is a commercial for modern, Western liberal countries where everyone can be their full self. Simon is a drug dealing, swearing, unemployed guy, who sheets on his girlfriend. Yet, you cannot dislike him! He is charismatic, funny, good at heart and completely original. His friendship with Camiel is somehow weird, as he is a gay, shy dentist student. Their friendship suffers a setback and they meet back after 14 years. Camiel and Simon team up with their entire group of friends and offspring to give Simon the best last days of his life.This movie is important, because it reflects exactly what people in the '90s wanted Holland to be. I can cry at what my country has become of these days, but I can also smile at the warm intentions of what it once inspired to be. People all over the world, watch this movie! It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, but it will also make you think.Eddy Terstall thank you for this fantastic achievement. This movie will be remembered someday and be seen as an international classic.

This film reminded me strongly of Les Invasions Barbares by Denys Arcand (Canada, 2003), & it makes feel a bit suspicious: is it coincidence or did Terstall borrow thoroughly from Arcand? The similarities are plenty, down to the details.The two films basically tell the same story: the main character, with his outspoken & sympathetic personality, is suffering from a terrible decease & is preparing to say sayonara to the world. His friends, (ex-)lovers & family are gathered around his sick bed, living up to the day & hour of his final departure. For people who liked the film Simon, Les Invasions Barbares may be interesting, if only for comparison. It shows a different way, rather more subtle, of dealing with this material. I do believe Arcand provides better & funnier dialogues & the film leads up to a climax in a more balanced way. If emotional impact of a film is the most important criteria, Simon deserves high ratings: we see how a wonderful person has the courage to step out & we sympathise with him. In terms of the film as a whole & originality, it is currently overrated at 8.4.

This movie is about a wide variety of emotions, topics and people. The dialogs are brilliant. Simon has a hilarious sense of humor, but his character, like the others in the movie, is still very well portrayed. All typical dutch subjects like gay-marriage, soft-drugs, euthanasia, etc., are handled in a way that it is still convincing. The last part, where euthanasia becomes the main topic, is where the movie rises above a good comedy and becomes a great comedy/drama instead. The acting in the last part is so brilliant that it almost feels like it is shot for real.Certainly a movie to recommend, and I think that even when it is translated (with a possible loss of dialog)it is still a movie worth seeing! But see a subtitled version and not a synchronized voice-over version, for the latter will be terrible