Der Mann, der lächelte

Simple plot, extreme events and shallow characters left me checking my watch. When will this end, I wondered?

After watching the Swedish television series starring Krister Henriksson as Wallander, it takes some considerable adjustment to believe that the bear-like Rolf Lassgard is really playing the same detective. Similar adjustments are needed as the familiar characters from Mankell's great novel and the Swedish TV series appear with different faces.

However, the overall sense of gloom and angst that characterises the Wallander series is maintained throughout this 2003 two-hour adaptation for television (now shown on UK television for the first time). The twists and turns of Mankell's plot contrast the gentle Skane countryside with the violent bombs, mines and shootings.

The plot, familiar not only through Mankell's novel but a recent UK TV adaptation starring Kenneth Branagh is bleak, verging on the gruesome - details omitted to avoid spoilers. But the storyline has been simplified, so that the reasons for Wallander's depression and drinking are omitted and his complicated personal life streamlined to an affair with colleague Maja (excellent acting by Marie Richardson)and a clumsy one-night stand in Stockholm. The result is an absorbing two-hour tale, but lacking some of the intensity of the later and shorter adaptations for television.

A very well done drama with the Ystad (Swedish city in the south)policeman Wallander. This time more tired and depressed than ever. Rolf Lassgård proofs once again what a great actor he is.

A old lawyer dies in a tragic car accident. Well thats what it seems to be at first. But the lawyers son thinks its a masked murder. Wallander gets into the case but have problems of his own. Both with the booze and with a love relation with his police colleague Maja (Marie Richardson). And it dont make it better then he makes a big misstake at a official journey to Stockholm.

Soon hell breaks loose and Wallander encounter some ruthless murders that wont stop for nothing to cover up for something very wrong. For all the Wallander/Rolf Lassgård fans out there this is a must! Theres some quite good action scenes in there to.

One funny note is that the in Sweden well known comedian Claes Månsson (Lorry/Yrrol) have a role as a bad guy. Takes some time to get used to but he do a good job. i´ll give it 9/10