WALLANDER: KURIEREN (COURIER)

Sweden, 2009, 85 minutes, Colour.
Krister Henriksson, Lena Endre, Stina Ekblad, Matt Bergman, Douglas Johansson.
Directed by Leif Magnusson.

Wallander: Kurieren is the third in the second series of Wallander crime thrillers with Krister Henriksson as Wallander. They are based on the novels of Henning Mankell. There have been two Swedish series, twenty-six episodes in all, as well as the British series with Kenneth Branagh, six films.

Wallander is preoccupied with retiring in three years, has an abrasive working relationship with some of his staff which is manifest when he is unable to empathise with Petra when she has been threatened not to be a witness in a case. Katerina is able to explain some things to him and elicit some emotional response.

However, in the field, he is efficient as is the group, investigating the death of a racer, leading them to a world of drug-dealing and some Balkan Mafia transferred to Stockholm.

The film focuses on Janne Martinsson, the prejudiced policeman of the second film, Guilty. He wants to do further training and take Wallander’s place and Wallander is unable to be immediately sympathetic. Martinsson works harder and Wallander has to give his consent.

The film is well made – but, is a somewhat routine story well explored.

1. The series from Sweden? The personality of Wallander? His career, investigations? Crime? Solutions?

2. The Ystad setting, the police precincts, Wallander’s home and the beach? The racing track, the world of drug dealers and biker clubs? The rebuilding of the church? The highways between Sweden and Denmark, Customs barriers? Authentic feel? Score?

3. The title, the focus on Erik, the focus on Johannes? Their work as drug couriers? Their ability as racers? Murder?

4. The death of Erik, the discovery of his body on the beach, the bike? The autopsy and his broken neck? The further leads about victims with broken necks? The climax and the biker and his being threatened by the Stockholm Mafia, the neck-breaking, the burial? Leading to the criminals?

5. Wallander, the encounter with Elias on his bike, on the beach, his birthday? Katerina and her explanations? Wallander at home, at work? The interactions with Katerina, her work as a prosecutor, listening to the presentation of the case, her demands for evidence? The rest of the staff? The importance of Janne? His role in investigating? His bristling personality?

6. Martinsson, his admiration for Wallander, his role in investigations? The advice to apply for further training, his hopes for taking Wallander’s place? Wallander hesitating and signing the application? Martinsson and his work, diligent, inquiries, on the internet, in interrogations? His asking Wallander the truth, Wallander reluctant to retire and his finally signing the document?

7. Pontus, his knowledge of the internet, his knowledge of bikes, discovering the identity of the builder? His participating in interrogations, investigations? With Johannes? His expertise at the end at the breakdown of the bike? Petra, her work, her being present when Svartman was attacked by the dog? The threats to her against testifying? Her resignation, being hurt by Wallander, his apology? Her continuing? Svartman, his work, investigations, the dog attacking him and his injuries?

8. The world of bike racing? The track, the various competitors? The expensive nature of the sport? Patrons and sponsors? Erik and his role on the track? The photo with the group, going to see the chairbound man, his cooperation, Erik’s hiring his shed? Johannes, his pregnant girlfriend, friendship with Erik? Johannes and the drug runs?

9. The bike club, Mats, his reputation? His relying on Kolt? Audience suspicion of them? The drug deals, the bosses from Stockholm? The standover tactics? The death of Erik? Asking Johannes to do the runs? The pressure on Mats from Stockholm? Mats and Kolt and their pressure on Johannes, stripping him and putting him in the hole and pouring the cement? Threatening his girlfriend? Her reaction, her fear?

10. Nyberg, his mother at the home, her wandering, in the cemetery, at the church, his discovery of the Stockholm car? His research? Leading to the perpetrators? The finale and his mother at the church and the boss falling from his bike?

11. Johannes, the runs, the meeting in the church? Wallander and the team, talking with Johannes, persuading him to comply? His fear?

12. The final run, the interference with the bike? His going through the barrier, the police getting him? Persuading him to lead them to the bosses? The church? The shootout, Mats’ injury, the henchman’s death, the boss on the bike, his being arrested?

13. The neat conclusion of the film with Wallander and Katerina watching Elias on the racetrack?