WALLANDER: AN EVENT IN AUTUMN

UK/Sweden, 2012, 90 minutes, Colour.
Kenneth Branagh, Saskia Reeves, Richard Mc Cabe, Sarah Smart, Donald Sumpter.
Directed by Toby Haynes.

This is the second film in the third series (each of three) with Kenneth Branagh as Wallander. He is getting older, more than a touch more cynical, yet still committed to solving cases in his town of Eystad. While the Dogs of Riga sent him to Estonia, this story has a Polish connection.

1. Audience interest in Wallander? The knowledge that novels of Hening Mankel? The series? The presence of Kenneth Branagh, his development of the character over the series? Very British, yet Swedish? His age, experience, becoming more morose? His commitment to his work?

2. The development in this story, his living with a partner? The background of his past relationship with his daughter, his career? His partner and her child? The life of the house? His really not being suited to it?

3. Ysted, the city, the police precinct, the offices, the countryside, the country house, the grounds, neighbours? The ferry, wharves? Poland? The detail? The musical score?

4. The story of the ferry, the decks and the fall, CCT, identifying the victim? The captain, his research? The other girl giving information? The issue of the necklace? Prostitution, the father and the money, the sadness of Eastern Europe? The murder of the victim’s friend?

5. Wallander, relationships, the effect on him, the character of Vanja, her love, her child? The impossibility of the relationship continuing?

6. The discovery of the skeleton, the further investigations?

7. Wallander going to visit Frederick, his being elderly, his life, talking with Vanja, the suggestion about the previous owner, the pump, the disappearance of the daughter?

8. The dead girl, her friend, the motives for their murder?

9. The daughter, abroad, sending information, her visit, giving the lead?

10. Wallander, returning to confront Frederick, the danger? The complexities of the plot and the motivations and malice?