Intrigo: Mort d'un Auteur

Greetings again from the darkness. Daniel Alfredson directed two of the three films in the original "Millenium" trilogy by fellow Swede, the late Stieg Larsson. He handled THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST. Alfredson has now signed on to direct a trilogy of films based on Hakan Nesser's "Intrigo" novellas. This is the first in the series, with "Dear Agnes" and "Samaria" coming soon (each with completely different casts).

Nesser's stories have been adapted for the screen by Alfredson and Brigitta Bongenheim, and they face the challenge of all crime stories making the move to movies ... how to create an equal level of suspense. Benno Furmann (JOYEUX NOEL, 2005) stars as David, a translator by profession who has written his first novel. We first see David on vacation with his wife Eva (Tuva Novotny, ANNIHILATION, 2018), who spoils his plans by telling him she is leaving him for her therapist. We next see him planning or imagining her death.

Flash forward three years and David has arranged a meeting with successful writer Alex Henderson (Sir Ben Kingsley, Oscar winner for GANDHI, 1982) in hopes of receiving advice on his debut novel. Their meeting takes place at Henderson's isolated island retreat, which serves as his primary residence away from 'people', the lot of whom he readily admits he doesn't much care for. Henderson agrees to let David read passages of his novel, and the 'cat and mouse' game is afoot.

David has been contracted to translate the final book of Austrian writer Germund Rein, who recently committed suicide (mysteriously) while at sea. As the twists and turns unfold, David begins to wonder if there is a connection between Rein and his own story. A simple cough heard while listening to a radio concert sends David on the road. He discovers a code within Rein's manuscript, and the film bounces between the multiple stories and layers.

When David's fiction crosses over with his own reality, it's our job as viewers to keep up and distinguish between the two. It's not always easy as the structure seems designed to confuse. On the other hand, some of the aforementioned twists and turns might as well have neon signs explaining what is about to happen, why it happens and how it is related to what has already happened. Because of this, the film lacks the tension suspense and conflict necessary for this type of story. Storytelling is the focus, but it's that storytelling that is the film's downfall. While it's always fun to watch Kingsley tear into a role, and some of the scenery is drop-dead gorgeous, we do hope the next two chapters of Nesser's books transfer better to the screen.

Excruciatingly slow moving, convoluted plot that drones incessantly towards a mediocre conclusion

A plan, another plan and a final coda, David, a stolid Germanic sort, connects the dots in a book he translates. The story is played out as a story within a story, David narrates to the reclusive Alex. Well, the title tells it all. Nice noir with great Alpine scenery.

Benno Fürmann goes to visit Ben Kingsley on his private island. He wants Kinglsley's advice on his novel, about a man who discovers his wife is pregnant by her unknown lover, and is about to leave him. So he kills her, and seems to get away with it... until he hears her laugh over the radio at a symphony concert.

It's the first of three movies, all called Intrigo: Something or other, based on the stories of Håkan Nesser,, each intended to illustrate some concept. I found them to be mildly distressing in the same way that I find most Scandinavian movies: a sterile, bleak world of no moral values. There are intriguing plot twists, and the camerawork by Pawel Edelman is quite lovely, thanks to some beautiful landscapes in what used to be Yugoslavia when I was young and dinosaurs roamed the earth.

In all honesty, I am one of "those people" who do NOT try to figure out what is happening and "who done it" in a who-done-it movie or book. I just sit there and let it wash over me, look at the scenery and get entertained. By SIR Ben Kingsley (Or, oh lordy lord, is it Lord Ben Kingsley? Let's go with Sir.) He was worth one star.

There were no likable characters in the film, except for the waitress. She was always most pleasant. And the cat. But It was hard not to have someone to root for - especially this day in age.

There was great scenery. But that was about it. I do like Nordic noir, so of course this intrigued me. But usually it's colder and much more brutal than this one was.

I do think think it's worth a watch. Why not? Did I mention it has SIR Ben Kingsley in it? :)