9, 2012
WISE Score
Four out-of-shape mechanics trade wrenches for running shoes in a gritty, heart-filled Dutch underdog story that is way more than a sports comedy.
The Marathon (De Marathon) is the anti-Rocky. It’s a Dutch dramedy that understands that a 26.2-mile race is a terrible idea for four guys who smoke and live on beer, but a great vehicle for a story about what we owe our friends.
It’s funny, but it’s also surprisingly gut-wrenching. If your teen can handle subtitles and a plot that moves from 'funny fat guys running' to 'life-and-death stakes,' this is a top-tier underdog story that avoids almost every Hollywood cliché.
Best for ages 13 and up. Between the subtitles (it's in Dutch) and the heavy themes of mortality and debt, it's a 'grown-up' story that happens to be about a race. Younger kids will likely find the pacing slow and the humor too dry.
It is a story about deep-seated loyalty and the lengths friends will go to for one another, though it is wrapped in the rough-around-the-edges atmosphere of a Dutch auto shop.
Standard underdog sports dramedy beats. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it uses the 'out-of-shape guys do a thing' trope effectively for character development.
While largely a comedy, there is significant coarse language, some locker-room humor, and a heavy subplot involving a terminal illness that shifts the tone significantly in the second half.
Excellent depiction of the grueling reality of physical training and the complex, often unspoken emotional bonds between men. It avoids the 'easy win' ending for something more earned.
If you go into The Marathon expecting a Dutch version of The Full Monty, you're only half right. While it starts with the familiar 'misfits attempt a physical feat' setup, it quickly pivots into something much more substantial. The film follows Gerard, Leo, Nico, and Kees—four mechanics whose garage is facing a massive tax bill. Their solution? Run the Rotterdam Marathon to win a bet and save the shop.
What makes this work is the lack of vanity. These characters aren't secret athletes; they are genuinely out of shape, stubborn, and often short-tempered. The film captures the specific camaraderie of a workplace where people have known each other for decades—the insults, the shared history, and the quiet ways they support each other when things get dark.
Parents should be aware that the film doesn't stay in the 'comedy' lane. A major plot development involving a terminal illness turns the final act into a meditation on legacy and friendship. It’s handled with a rugged, unsentimental grace, but it is a heavy lift for younger viewers. It’s the kind of movie that sparks real conversations about what it means to show up for people, even when you know you can't 'win' in the traditional sense.
For a family with older kids who enjoy international cinema, this is a hidden gem. It’s grounded, beautifully acted, and serves as a great reminder that the most important part of any 'marathon' is the person running next to you.
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