The Keeper of Lost Causes

I feel like once you fall in love with Scandinavian crime investigation movies, that love never fades away. That’s why it makes me so happy that out of the whole range of books I’ll never manage to read, there’s one that the Scandinavians decided to make into a movie. I didn’t yet manage to get through the Department Q series from Olsen, but The Keeper of LostCauses grabbed my attention at first glance. It was worse when I started watching the movie – it took me about half an hour to get used to Carl. His character was very bland and wishy-washy, but Assad made up for it as his character was likeable from the very beginning. But eventually, I got used to both of them as investigators and what really helped was the story itself, which was outright flawless. The ending was a bit unfinished and half-assed, but I have to give it at least four stars just out of the excitement and joy that the Scandinavians decided to shoot such a movie. (06/15/2015)

An excellent crime drama that doesn't try to throw in unnecessary twists and turns and instead goes purely for its goal, focusing on a very strong emotional conclusion. Lie Kaas is solid, unemotional, I'm not used to him in such a role. It feels a bit like a pilot to a series, and why not, I'm quite curious about the other Department Q cases. (06/02/2023)

A screenplay for a decent TV detective film adapted to the big screen by adding attractive visuals and a stellar cast. However, the film is merely average due to the absence of moments of surprise, its simple story and the presence of genre clichés. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was more sophisticated and multilayered. (11/03/2013)

A good old-fashioned crime story from the North. I don't seek out the crime genre, but once every six months it doesn't hurt to watch something that entertains, surprises and intrigues from this genre. The highlight of the film for me is the scene with the slow motion shot of the falling car, which was literally breathtaking... Decent direction, actors and plot. For fans of the crime genre I recommend it. 65%. (03/02/2014)

An unfortunately executed adaptation. It is based on an ironic (and funny) anti-bureaucratic toned, House-style novel by Mørck and a psychological depiction of the investigator and the victim. Contrarily, the standard genre plot is more an essential excuse linking everything together than anything else. But here the two most special assets that make this different from the regular productions of this genre are thoroughly overshadowed and the stress is put purely on the crime storyline; and that is as run-of-the-mill as is possible in this genre. (03/29/2014)