Bitter Flowers

(Ulrik Imtiaz Rolfsen, 2007).
Scandinavia house kicks off its popular yearly crime series with this thriller, the first in a series of adaptations of Norwegian writer Gunnar Staalesen’s popular novels about private eye Varg Veum. When Veum (portrayed by Trond Espen Seim as a scruffy attractive classic old-school detective) is called in by a politician to trace her missing daughter, his investigation uncovers a nasty international conspiracy. It’s well-paced, suspenseful, and acted with conviction.

Wed., July 8, 6:30 p.m.; Thu., July 9, 2:30 p.m., 2009