Try This: Wallander
Viewers expecting Kenneth Branagh to shine as Kurt Wallander, the Swedish detective of the books of award-winning author Henning Mankell, will be scurrying to find new words. Shiny is not an adjective that can be applied to Wallander. The colours are bleak and clear, almost transparent; all grey and white and brown and washed out where even blood is carmine rather than crimson. Only yellow pierces the muted tones, used to spectacular effect as the field of rapeseed in the opening scene gives way to the show's black on yellow credits and a vocal of eerie sparseness.
Branagh does an impeccable job of introducing the character to a new audience. Within the first five minutes, you know that he is a man who drowns in his emotions and for whom each experience adds to the already unbearable burden on his shoulders. He's unkempt, raw and achingly tired. That this is the status quo is clear from the actions of his team who know when he needs to be left alone. Every word he utters is reluctant. Branagh's delivery and demeanour lets you see the effect of each blow. The supporting cast is excellent too but this is Branagh's to hold or lose.
The mysteries of the first two of three episodes are complex. This is one of those shows where you have to pay attention, even though the pace is fairly slow. I found some of the key elements in the second episode a little unbelievable but it's a minor quibble because the real power was in the effect those events had on Wallander himself. I must also hope that the final episode, and the ones to come next year (Branagh's schedule permitting), don't all follow the same formula of disparate deaths mysteriously connected as we've had twice now.
This is a co-production with PBS and I believe that the series will be shown in America in March next year. I haven't crossposted this to we_3_witches because I don't think this would appeal to my fellow witches but there are those of you on my flist who may be interested in seeing this. I do recommend it with feeling.
Does the world need another middle-aged, world-weary policeman? Yes, I think so. It's been a poorer place since the passing of Inspector Endeavour Morse. Existing cosy who-dun-its like Midsomer Murders lack the substance that Inspector Morse had. There hasn't really been anything else since Prime Suspect to fill that void. Wallander has yet to prove that it is a worthy successor, but it's a damn good effort and the first such attempt by the BBC in a long time.