Varg Veum - Kalde hjerter

/refers to all 12 episodes/ Although I consider myself a fan of Scandinavian crime series, I have to admit that Varg Veum was my first familiarisation with a Norwegian one, I found the character by accident while just being curious whether Norway had something in line with Danish and Swedish creations. The beginning was a bit tardy and the episodes seemed a bit long (almost 1,5 hours instead of usual 45-60 minutes), but realistic incidents, natural development of characters, good acting and picturesque landscape facilitated an intensive watch of all the episodes in sequence. True, not all of them are of equal power and supporting cast is at times stronger than the star Trond Espen Seim (e.g. Bjørn Floberg and Nikolaj Lie Kaas), but the stories are versatile and "the good guys" have several setbacks as well, sometimes even fatal.

PS I you like Varg Veum series, you would like Vares series (Finland) as well - and vice versa. Many similarities regarding characters and approached topics, although the Finnish series includes more odd Nordic humour.

I can understand your anguish. I just read the book and it's great. Why in the world they decide to add Lene Nystrøm and make her pregnant is beyond me. Veum is a private detective in often times depressed and dark realities, yet he cleans his dishes and in the book he is about to prepare himself a fish dinner, but is called away to some sinister rendezvous, but before he leaves gis apartment he puts a lid on top of the raw fish. Veum is as normal as possible for a man making his living by saving lost souls in rainy Bergen. So why destroy this by changing important characteristics of him from the book and suddenly making him a happy daddy listening to the baby beat inside his wife's belly? Furthermore, there is not one single sentence describing sex in this book. But seems they still put it in the film? I'm not going to watch it. But back to my headline. How can you possibly rate the movie 6 after your less than flattering review?

The other reviews for this series are unfortunate! I think Trond does a decent job as Varg. Sometimes an actor is blamed for character development. I like both Trond and his Varg character. The story lines are compelling and the show is supported by a combination of likable and very unlivable characters. I've been watching foreign developed TV series for a few years now. It is unbelievable how much better these shows are. The acting is far better than anything we have here. American actors are seriously overpaid. Foreign writing is also far superior to U. S. offerings. I haven't watch an American TV series for over 3 years and I don't think I've missed a thing.