Category Archives: Tragedy

2005, Abduction, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease, Based on a Book, Bloody scenes, Clever Plot, Corruption, Crime, Dark, Depression, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drug Dealers, Father-daughter relations, Forensics, Gay theme, Interest in dogs, Kidnapping, Lesbian Theme, Made For TV, Marital Infidelity, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Police Corruption, Revenge, School Teacher, Sex Scenes, Suicide, Suspense, Swedish, Swedish crime series, Teenagers, Tragedy, Violent, Well developed plot

Swedish Wallander (2005-2012)

Leave a comment

From Netflix:

Detective Kurt Wallander is an intense, headstrong maverick who’s prone to eating poorly, sleeping irregularly and drinking too much. Wallander relies on instinct and experience and doesn’t shy away from using illegal means to solve crimes.

Kathy and I have just finished stream-bingeing on all the Swedish Wallander episodes of which there are many. Cable TV gets worse each day and we were grateful to have something well-written, well-acted, and gripping to watch in the evening. Thank you, Netflix. “Gripping” is an important keyword (picture Kathy leaving the room during violent encounters).

To be precise about numbers of episodes:

Season 1 comprises 13 episodes.
Season 2 comprises 13 episodes.
Season 3 comprises 6 episodes.

Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander is a dedicated (even better – obsessed) detective whose personal life is one of drinking, loneliness, and coldness to his family. In other words, he is a mess. To his credit, the Swedish actor Krister Henriksson portrays such a man to perfection. However, as in often the case in such types of TV series, as much time is spent exploring his relations with others as in solving murder cases. For example, “Dicta“, which I have strongly recommended is cast in the same mold.

Quite a bit of camera footage is devoted to leisurely scanning the Swedish landscape and waterways. Wallander and his beloved dog Jussi take many walks on the beach outside his house.

During the course of the three seasons, characters come and go, never to be seen again.

Season 3 ends tragically. But I will not say more because that would be a spoiler. If you want to know what I mean, then send me email.

Once again, if you enjoy intense detective procedurals DO NOT MISS either “Dicta” or “Wallander”.

Be aware that there is also the Kenneth Branagh “Wallander” English series from Masterpiece Mystery.

1991, Basically Sad, Bloody scenes, Brother-Brother relations, Dark, Good Brother - Bad Brother, Nudity, Psychological Drama, PTSD, Suicide, Tragedy, Violent, Wonderful acting

The Indian Runner (1991)

Leave a comment

From Netflix:

Sean Penn wrote and directs this poignant drama inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s song “Highway Patrolman.” When small-town deputy sheriff Joe Roberts (David Morse) takes in his troubled Vietnam vet brother, Frank (Viggo Mortensen), things get very rocky. Joe is determined to help Frank make a new life with his pregnant girlfriend, Dorothy (Patricia Arquette), but Frank’s simmering anger threatens to ruin everything.

Before writing this review I had not fully realized how old the film was – 23 years to be exact. Because David Morse (Dr. Jack Morrison of the 1988 “St. Elsewhere”) looked so young, I should have guessed. Such a powerful lineup of actors:

  • David Morse (Joe Roberts
  • Viggo Mortensen (Frank Roberts)
  • Patricia Arquette (Dorothy)
  • Charles Bronson (Mr. Roberts)
  • Sandy Dennis (Mrs. Roberts)
  • Dennis Hopper (Caesar)

WARNING: This powerful, well-written, well-directed, and well-acted film is a tragedy from beginning to end.

Substitute Vietnam with Afghanistan or Iraq and there is no difference.

Well worth a serious watch!