I can totally see the approach the screenwriter Niklas Rockström has taken here. Use details from one of the most notorious recent crime cases in Sweden, the abduction of a 10-year old girl in 2008, and combine it with details from one of the most prominent and famous European crime cases from the last decade (which one would be a spoiler but I'm sure you'll get it when you see the movie).
The mix he comes up with is pretty suspenseful. Looking back at the plot, is has some monumental holes and some details are just too unbelievable to be realistic. The lack of plausibility doesn't strike you when you're watching though, as the pace is pretty high.
Another problem is that the film doesn't dare to show some aspects of child abduction in the movie. The film contains some rather dark and disturbing scenes but cowardly shies away from the obvious sexual dimension, probably in order to set up the totally unrealistic ending of the movie.
If the script is a bit so-so, the acting and directing is pretty solid. Krister Henriksson does a good job as does the regular supporting cast. Guest stars include Gustaf Hammarsten, a familiar face to Swedish cinema-goers, and Liv Mjönes, who has worked with Henriksson before in "Kyss Mig".
Overall this is a pretty decent Wallander movie, by no means one of the best but the pretty decent acting and fast pace keeps it interesting throughout.
The mix he comes up with is pretty suspenseful. Looking back at the plot, is has some monumental holes and some details are just too unbelievable to be realistic. The lack of plausibility doesn't strike you when you're watching though, as the pace is pretty high.
Another problem is that the film doesn't dare to show some aspects of child abduction in the movie. The film contains some rather dark and disturbing scenes but cowardly shies away from the obvious sexual dimension, probably in order to set up the totally unrealistic ending of the movie.
If the script is a bit so-so, the acting and directing is pretty solid. Krister Henriksson does a good job as does the regular supporting cast. Guest stars include Gustaf Hammarsten, a familiar face to Swedish cinema-goers, and Liv Mjönes, who has worked with Henriksson before in "Kyss Mig".
Overall this is a pretty decent Wallander movie, by no means one of the best but the pretty decent acting and fast pace keeps it interesting throughout.