False Trail (Jägarna 2), 2011.
Directed by Kjell Sundvall.
Starring Rolf Lassgård, Peter Stormare and Annika Nordin.
SYNOPSIS:
When a young girl goes missing, Erik Bäckström is called in to help with the investigation.
Although a sequel to the 1996 Jägarna, False Trail (known in Sweden as Jägarna 2) never feels like the second part of a movie series. Instead, it feels like an episode of a TV police procedural akin to Midsomer Murders or Inspector Morse where Eric Bäckström solves a new case week to week.
This isn’t helped by the fact that False Trail falls for every police drama cliché from its main story all the way down to its supporting roles. Each step of the way feels telegraphed which doesn’t help its near 2 hour running time feel any quicker and it just slips you further into feeling like you’re watching an ITV drama. The story itself is fairly simple, there are no real twists in the tale and worst of all the killer’s motives are never fully explained. We get a couple of throwaway lines here and there but it’s never confirmed if that was his motivation. What I will say however is that the plot is very focused and never gets sidetracked which does help the pacing, but you will find yourself begging for an ad break just to see something different.
I know I’m sounding like a broken record, but it is my biggest complaint of the movie: it doesn’t feel or look like a movie. It has that same feel and tone of Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and never has a cinematic quality that you would associate with modern day film. It’s not so much a bad thing or a deterrent to the movie, but it does make you feel like you’re watching a TV show like the ones mentioned earlier rather than a film sequel.
But while it may look and feel like a TV show, the film’s performances are pure cinema quality. Both Rolf Lassgård and Peter Stormare are magnificent in their roles with Stormare really putting in a career best as the slightly unhinged Torsten. Supporting roles from Annika Nordin, Kim Tjernström and Eero Milonoff are also fantastic which really does help battle the TV feel. Milonoff in particular is phenomenal and the maniacal Jari and just one simple stare from his cold eyes will send shivers down your spine. But the movie belongs to Lassgård and Stormare who bounce off each other’s impeccable charisma with flair and panache.
With the exception of the superb performances, I have sounded like I’m quite down on False Trail – but I did actually like it. The story, albeit simple, is quite engaging and the dialogue and characters are incredibly well written. The film may not look cinematic but it does carry itself well and is a very enjoyable watch. To be honest, False Trail is worth watching just for the awe-inspiring performances but don’t expect this to be your new favourite movie.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Luke Owen is a freelance copywriter working for Europe’s biggest golf holiday provider as their web content executive. You can follow him on Twitter @CGLuke_o
Originally published January 28, 2013. Updated November 6, 2019.
