Ráðherrann

If you were a fan of TV series, 'Borgen' - I believe you will enjoy 'The Minister'. Writing, directing, acting, scenery, photography wonderfully capture the essence of the person vs. the politician as well as provide a travel log of Iceland and insight into local / EU politics.

This started OK mainly because Olafur Darri Olafsson is always watchable. But it became disappointing and almost laughable especially the manoeuverings of the various members of parliament. Constantly double crossing each other and when the ploy is revealed they don't even change their facial expression. Then five minutes later, they'll be getting into bed with the person who just double crossed them. As for the wife, despicable! A terrible actor and repellent character. Exactly the same frozen expressionless face for two whole seasons! I almost turned it off every time she came on screen. Best scenes by far are those during the manic episode. These were enjoyable and give a compassionate insight into the disease. 3 stars out of 10.

9.5 stars. Outstanding at every level. Ólafur Darri Ólafsson delivers a brilliant absolute tour de force performance breathtaking in alacrity and range. Don't miss the opportunity to see this production.

I found this to be fairly shallow, predictable. you have the main character's quirks/illness and very little else. The remaining characters are very thinly drawn and pretty much stereotypes. Also we already know from academic peer reviewed work that their is a streak of what most would consider mental illness broadly present among politicians and elected and unelected govnrerment officials. It is not manic behavior -- it is narcissism and sociopathy. In the US for example, the location with the most psychopaths and sociopaths is Washington DC. And that is not arising from the general citizenry there -- it is quite specifically the govnrerment officials. Just google: Washington DC psychopathy capital of the US. And in fact northern Virginia, and southern Maryland where a large chunk of the government workers live is the second highest level of psychopaths.

So this show presents an illness that is mercurial almost charming and then something worse. It doesn't come near the reality which is more like US and UK House of Cards. As outrageous as House of Cards was, the data show that is actually a reality. And a much more interesting, fascinating reality. Most European productions and narratives tend to shy away from that. Bad actors in govnrerment tend to be portrayed as outliers. That is a bit infantile.

Ultimately this series has nothing to say. And it also does not entertain. Yes, we get it, the stark landscapes from scando-noir, are compelling. and Iceland is particularly stark, but it's not compelling not when there is nothing else.

Great story,great scenery,great great great!! Thank God mental illness is finally being shown on the big screen the way it is irl. bravo Iceland! please keep them coming!!!