An unusually dense and exciting Swedish thriller. The director Håkan Bergström succeeds very well in his feature film debut. A low-budget production. He uses the city of Stockholm in an aesthetically refreshing way. The old worn neighborhood versus the modern suburb. The subway. Generations. He portrays his film through relationships, where we get to know a large number of interesting and believable characters. A fine ensemble of actors. No stars that take up space unnecessarily. And Lena Nyman 11 years young. She pushes the plot forward with her energy and absolute credibility. Bengt Blomgren makes a memorable effort as the frustrated and browbeaten husband. Inger Juel as his mistress is brilliant. And Herman Ahlsell as the violated and bipolar bicycle dealer. Norma Sjöholm compliment a scene in the film. But a big minus for the depiction and portrayal of the police. It belongs in another time and film.
2 Reviews
Well made crimethriller....
CurtHerzstark22 May 2012
This one of those rare well made Swedish thrillers that needs to be released on DVD. Because it's way better then most Swedish thrillers made today.
Story is about a girl and her parents, Åke Tomasson(Bengt Blomgren), Anna-Greta Tomasson(Ulla Holmberg). Their relationship is far from perfect, Åke is womanizer and spends little or no time with Anna-Greta.
Instead Åke finds comfort with one of the neighbours, Ulla Brantman(Inger Juel). But Ulla has more then one suiters, one of them being Bertil Strand(Herman Ahlsell) who is married to crippled Irma Strand(Birgitta Valberg).
Bertil feels left out and starts making threats and soon Ulla will be found dead. But who did it? Only one person knows this, Åke Tomassons daughter, Helen Tomasson(Lena Nyman).
What could have been a very generic, bland affair develops into well made exciting crime thriller with some noir elements. You have the cool, sexually liberated femme fatale, Ulla Brantman.
Morally dubious Åke Tomasson and the jealous, Bertil Strand both of whom are married but still wants to control and own Ulla Brantman.
The film has an chase element regarding the killer and his close connection to only living witness, Helen Tomasson.
Will the killer be able to get rid of all evidence before the cops close their net around him?
Just the fact that you have Swedish thriller about a pending childmurder is unusual even today and therefore it adds to growing suspense of the film.
Perhaps the murder and rape of 5 year old Kerstin Blom inspired to this film?
When it comes to the casting there are a some surprises.
Helen Tomasson is played by a very young Lena Nyman, who would later regain fame in films like Jag är nyfiken - en film i gult/I Am Curious (Yellow) (1967), Höstsonaten/Autumn Sonata (1978), 491 (1964) etc.
In Sweden she would become one of the most beloved actresses, with many memorable performances. She died in 2011, age 66.
This film is her debut, and can actually see the resembles when comes to her face, and some vocabulary that she used later on. Her acting is good for child actor and responds with that type naturalistic easiness thats required in this film.
Bengt Blomgren as Åke Tomasson, helens father is a real find here. He easily switches from caring father, husband to a lying cheater who doesn't really know how much he hurts his wife.
Ulla Holmberg as Anna-Greta Tomasson, plays the typical wife and mother but adds an extra dimension, a touch of bitterness regarding her position as the cheated spouse.
Inger Juel as Ulla Brantman, the femme fatale but also the victim, She acts and looks carefree, but sometimes Juel gives her character a feeling of isolation and loneliness.
Herman Ahlsell as Bertil Strand is outstanding, his jealousy and possessive behaviour towards Ulla, is very good. Good use of lighting and cinematography underlines his performance.
Why this film hasn't been released on DVD is a shame. Also the well written suspense is almost gone in Swedish film today. The few attempts at psychological thriller, crime dramas hardly makes a splash or even a ripple at box office.
Mainly because of bad writing, but an unwillingness to use the medium in the right amount.
So viewers who liked The Night of the Hunter (1955), M (1931), Chugyeogja/ The Chaser(2008) should try and find this Swedish crime film, not only for Lena Nyman but because the film is good as well.
Story is about a girl and her parents, Åke Tomasson(Bengt Blomgren), Anna-Greta Tomasson(Ulla Holmberg). Their relationship is far from perfect, Åke is womanizer and spends little or no time with Anna-Greta.
Instead Åke finds comfort with one of the neighbours, Ulla Brantman(Inger Juel). But Ulla has more then one suiters, one of them being Bertil Strand(Herman Ahlsell) who is married to crippled Irma Strand(Birgitta Valberg).
Bertil feels left out and starts making threats and soon Ulla will be found dead. But who did it? Only one person knows this, Åke Tomassons daughter, Helen Tomasson(Lena Nyman).
What could have been a very generic, bland affair develops into well made exciting crime thriller with some noir elements. You have the cool, sexually liberated femme fatale, Ulla Brantman.
Morally dubious Åke Tomasson and the jealous, Bertil Strand both of whom are married but still wants to control and own Ulla Brantman.
The film has an chase element regarding the killer and his close connection to only living witness, Helen Tomasson.
Will the killer be able to get rid of all evidence before the cops close their net around him?
Just the fact that you have Swedish thriller about a pending childmurder is unusual even today and therefore it adds to growing suspense of the film.
Perhaps the murder and rape of 5 year old Kerstin Blom inspired to this film?
When it comes to the casting there are a some surprises.
Helen Tomasson is played by a very young Lena Nyman, who would later regain fame in films like Jag är nyfiken - en film i gult/I Am Curious (Yellow) (1967), Höstsonaten/Autumn Sonata (1978), 491 (1964) etc.
In Sweden she would become one of the most beloved actresses, with many memorable performances. She died in 2011, age 66.
This film is her debut, and can actually see the resembles when comes to her face, and some vocabulary that she used later on. Her acting is good for child actor and responds with that type naturalistic easiness thats required in this film.
Bengt Blomgren as Åke Tomasson, helens father is a real find here. He easily switches from caring father, husband to a lying cheater who doesn't really know how much he hurts his wife.
Ulla Holmberg as Anna-Greta Tomasson, plays the typical wife and mother but adds an extra dimension, a touch of bitterness regarding her position as the cheated spouse.
Inger Juel as Ulla Brantman, the femme fatale but also the victim, She acts and looks carefree, but sometimes Juel gives her character a feeling of isolation and loneliness.
Herman Ahlsell as Bertil Strand is outstanding, his jealousy and possessive behaviour towards Ulla, is very good. Good use of lighting and cinematography underlines his performance.
Why this film hasn't been released on DVD is a shame. Also the well written suspense is almost gone in Swedish film today. The few attempts at psychological thriller, crime dramas hardly makes a splash or even a ripple at box office.
Mainly because of bad writing, but an unwillingness to use the medium in the right amount.
So viewers who liked The Night of the Hunter (1955), M (1931), Chugyeogja/ The Chaser(2008) should try and find this Swedish crime film, not only for Lena Nyman but because the film is good as well.
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