WALLANDER: THE MAN WHO SMILED

UK/Sweden, 2009, 90 minutes, Colour.
Kenneth Branagh, Rupert Graves.
Directed by Andy Wilson.

This particular episode of Wallander focuses very much on Wallander himself. It takes up the sequences in Faceless Killers where he shoots the racist. He has opted out of police work for several months and disappeared. His daughter cannot find him. When a friend approaches with some information he refuses to help. Then the friend is found hanged. While Wallander pursues the investigation, with the help of his usual crew, he finds himself confronted by issues of violence, his own humanity, his willingness to be a policeman or not. There is also an episode with his father whose mental health is deteriorating.

The film has the usual cast“ but has Rupert Graves as a very effective smiling villain.

1. The focus on the character of Wallander, the mystery and his investigation? Hampered by his self-reflection and moroseness?

2. The focus on the crimes, the detail, Wallander'™s becoming gradually involved, the interviews, the clues? His recovery?

3. The bleak countryside, the anguished man driving, the man in the hood sitting at the top of the hill? The castle, the contrast with the world of lectures and cafes, the police precinct? The musical score?

4. The crime, the old man, the hooded killer, the set-up of the accident, the son and his appeal, desperate, found hanged? The later deaths, the lecturer, her uncle?

5. Wallander and the effect of his shooting the racist, the flashbacks from the previous film? His brooding, going away, refusing contact? Off the police force? His motives for refusing his friend and the investigation? The news of his death? The secretary accusing him of irresponsibility? Taking up the investigation, the complexity of his motives, the effect? His co-workers, the authorities, Magnus and his case, the briefing?

6. The interview with Hardiman, friendly, his wealth, his work in Africa, with the children, the charities, feeling that the children were his family? His being cooperative? The puzzle of the postcard with the image, the death threats?

7. Anders'™ story, his killing the girl in an accident, the parallel with Wallander''™s feelings about shooting? Anders as security guard for Hardiman, praising him, wanting to get back on the police force? Giving the information, having a drink with Wallander? Their talk, Wallander'™s promise? His help with the information about the helicopter, his shooting the killer, talking with Wallander, accepted back in the force and Wallander enabling him to die happy?

8. The reconstruction of the crime, the autopsy, the interviews?

9. The woman and her charity work in Africa, the lecture, the slides, the information about mutilations, deaths? Body parts? Wallander calling to her, her being killed? Tracking down her uncle, the information, his death?

10. The accounts, the discovery of the boxes for the body parts?

11. Hardiman, the confrontation, issues of life and death, his making decisions, his benign view of himself?

12. The final confrontation, the killer and the helicopter, his death, Wallander shooting Hardiman in the leg? Anders'™ contribution?

13. Linda, no contact with her father, his not visiting, her challenge to him about relating to the family?

14. Wallander'™s father, the hospital upset, hitting his son, Linda visiting her grandfather? The bonds between father and son?

15. Police work, Wallander and putting bullets in his gun, the shooting? His recovery, going back to the office prepared for work?