Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Directors: Geir Henning Hopland (Lilyhammer), Rune Denstad Langlo (North), Cecilie A. Mosli, Via Vision Entertainment.
Cast: Nicolai Cleve Broch, Lena Endre, Anne Marit Jacobsen, Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Amrita Acharia.
Dark secrets continue to grip a small Norwegian community as season two of Acquitted takes up the story from where season one finished.
In season one, we become acquainted with a successful Norwegian businessman Aksel Nielsen (Broch) living in Kuala Lumpur with wife, Angeline (Elaine Tan) and teenage son, Tim (Mathias Romano). The plotline captivates after he returns to his home village of Lifjord to seal a deal to save a financially troubled local energy company – 20 years after he was acquitted of the murder of his then-girlfriend Karine Hansteen.
Aksel was only 18 at the time of the alleged crime, and after spending a year in jail he was acquitted because of a statement from another girl, Tonje (Synnøve Macody Lund). It was Karine’s father William Hansteen (Gimle) who had first contacted Aksel for help, but her mother Eva (Endre) strongly believes that Aksel is guilty.
As the story moves forward, early hopes are dashed about Aksel getting the answers he so desperately needs. Instead, following a shocking confession, William is brought to trial. He has also been living with more than one lie. Actually, both Eva and William are masters at continually distorting the facts. While it’s compelling viewing, it’s also frustrating as we wait impatiently for answers.
Newcomer Amina Sahir (Acharia, Game of Thrones) is the public prosecutor who is brought in to investigate whether William can be prosecuted. However, Amina’s resilience is put to the test with further new developments in the case.
All the while, Aksel still hopes the truth will come to light and he will finally be exonerated of the old suspicion. Aksel’s mother Mai-Brit (Jacobsen) and brother Erik (Tobias Santelmann) play important roles this time.
As her quest for justice for Karine resumes, Eva’s performance is not as powerful as in the previous season. On the other hand, Aksel gives a convincing portrayal as the victim. Once again, the stunning landscape is eye-catching.
There are eight episodes, with English sub-titles, in the sequel (original name Frikjent). Creator/screenwriter duo Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anna Bache-Wiig maintain the fascination – right up to the spectacular finale.
This is crime-noir at its best!
If you correctly tell us the name of the central character, you could win one of three DVDs of Acquitted, Season Two. Entries should be sent to [email protected] by next Monday, 25 February 2019. Names of the winners will be announced in Frank Cassidy’s PS-sssst…! column next week.
