adamsimonsen Review of Mannen på balkongen

Mannen på balkongen (1993)

One in a series of brilliant films based on the Sjöwall and Wahlöö books.

[23 November 2000]

This film is one in a series of films based on the world famous thrillers by swedish writer-couple Sjöwall and Wahlöö. The films where made in 1993-94 and are definitely my favorite filmings of the books. Gösta Ekman as the criminal investigator Martin Beck has a very low key approach to the role which makes room for the other characters and for the melancholic atmosphere. The police team and especially Rolf Lassgård and Kjell Bergqvist give tremendous credibility to their characters. This film along with "Roseanna" (1993 and also directed by Daniel Alfredson) shows what level of sophistication can be achieved in a thriller if the characters are fully developed and action scenes are kept at a minimum.