I read the book by Henning Mankell and hoped for something better, because I very much admire his work. But this director hasn't a clue. The acting is atrocious. Not to mention that it's a very weird experience to watch Asians conversing in Swedish (not that there's anything wrong with that!).
The director seems to think that he heightens the thriller aspects by showing panoramas of Beijing. Huh? And in a supposed climactic scene, how are we to believe that the dedicated assassin comes charging at his target only to cudgel her with his blade in a scabbard, leaving minutes of dumb action so the policewoman has time to arrive and shoot him just before the unsheathed blade is to do its work? I doubt that's what was in the book, but if it was it was also as stupid as the heroine reaching behind her back, finding one last bullet and loading the conveniently placed gun while the other killer just stares (maybe has a cookie) and gives her time to shoot him.
This is a real stinker, to be avoided.
The director seems to think that he heightens the thriller aspects by showing panoramas of Beijing. Huh? And in a supposed climactic scene, how are we to believe that the dedicated assassin comes charging at his target only to cudgel her with his blade in a scabbard, leaving minutes of dumb action so the policewoman has time to arrive and shoot him just before the unsheathed blade is to do its work? I doubt that's what was in the book, but if it was it was also as stupid as the heroine reaching behind her back, finding one last bullet and loading the conveniently placed gun while the other killer just stares (maybe has a cookie) and gives her time to shoot him.
This is a real stinker, to be avoided.