Branagh Gives Strong Performance in These Dark, Emotive Swedish Mysteries.
I enjoyed Wallander Series 2 more than the first series, as at least some of the mysteries do not defy all credibility. Based on the Swedish crime novels of Henning Mankel, this trio of mysteries grows more sensational as it progresses, but the unbelievable bits creep up on the viewer instead of being outright off-the-wall. As is often the case, Mankel has entwined social issues with his murders: anti-immigration sentiment, trafficking in human organs, and domestic abuse. Dave Shiflett of Bloomberg aptly described Kurt Wallander as "perhaps the most melancholy man on television" and Kenneth Branagh's performance as "majestically morose". He is an unlikely police officer. Wallander has a strong sense of justice but a hard time coping with life in general, much less with the brutality with which he job brings him into constant contact. He's never in a stable state of mind.
The Wallander series is also set apart from most television cop dramas by Wallander's lack of...
Highly recommended
If you have been captivated by the first installment of "Wallander" episodes, the second is a must for you. If, on the other hand, you find Wallander and his world too bleak (I disagree with respect, but this is a matter of taste), you are well advised to pass up the second set. Regardless whether you have read Henning Mankell's Wallander novels - great literature in the disguise of great detective fiction - or not, the film scripts can stand on their own merits, as the plots are, to the most part, intelligently curtailed and extracted from the books. The cast of characters is excellent, the films, beautifully shot against the colorful backdrop of the Swedish country- and cityside, focus not only on the whodunit with its police procedural, but tackle very real social issues and problems present in all western societies. While Kenneth Branagh certainly would not have been my imaginary "ideal" Wallander persona when I read the novels, I find him an almost perfect choice for the role...
Nice change of pace
For those of you who need light, happy and uplifting endings then obviously Wallander is not for you but the reason it works for me is because it's real and it's gritty. Wallander is some of the best work that Branagh has done in a very long time. Wallander is weary, he's hardened and he's vulnerable. He sees the worst in certain people and I love that about him. There is true evil out in the world and Wallander has seen it. This is a really good series and a bit different being set in Sweden. We have never really seen such a dark series set in this beautiful country so it's a nice change of pace. If you like your crime dramas gritty and dark with some great acting from the main character then Wallander is something you'll enjoy.
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