The fact that a film is based on true events does not guarantee complete accuracy. Cinematic adaptations often require alterations, additions, and omissions to create a compelling narrative. A notable example is Winston Churchill’s fictional subway ride in The Darkest Hour, a fabricated scene that enhances the storytelling. In contrast, the movie Stockholm introduces numerous embellishments, yet fails to meaningfully enrich the story.
Set in 1973, the film depicts Kaj Hansson (Ethan Hawke) entering Kreditbanken at Norrmalmstorg armed with a submachine gun. His demands are straightforward: money and the release of his friend, Gunnar Sorensson (Mark Strong), from prison. He takes two female cashiers, Bianca Lind (Noomi Rapace) and Klara Mardh (Bea Santos), as hostages. As they await Gunnar’s arrival, police chief Mattson (Christopher Heyerdahl) assumes control of the situation, and the world’s attention focuses on Stockholm, where an unprecedented hostage drama unfolds.
Regrettably, Stockholm is deeply flawed. To clarify, beyond the deviations from reality, such as the altered names, incorrect building depiction, the actual number of female hostages being three (along with a male hostage discovered within the bank), the anachronistic use of the Beretta 92F pistol by Swedish police (introduced two years after the depicted events), and other details best omitted to avoid spoilers, the core issue lies in the film’s purported portrayal of an “absurd” and “humorous” story. It aims to depict inept robbers with redeeming qualities and the hostages’ subsequent alignment with them, thus giving rise to the term Stockholm Syndrome (where victims develop empathy for their captors).
However, director and screenwriter Robert Budreau fails to convincingly portray the hostages’ shift in allegiance. Their siding with the captors feels contrived and inconsistent with their on-screen behavior. The connection between hostages and robbers feels forced and unearned. While Ethan Hawke strives to embody humor, craziness, and charm, Noomi Rapace struggles to deliver a believable performance. A particularly jarring sequence involves her character’s husband being inexplicably permitted inside the bank, where she proceeds to instruct him on childcare responsibilities. Intended as humor, the scene is profoundly awkward. Furthermore, the actor portraying her husband delivers a subpar performance. The film maintains this consistently low quality throughout, exacerbated by Christopher Heyerdahl’s excessive overacting as the police chief.
Are there any redeeming qualities? Barely. The fact that the film was partially shot in Stockholm (despite interior scenes being filmed in Canada) is a minor positive. Additionally, the picture and sound quality of the Blu-ray release are acceptable, offering sharp colors and stylish photography. However, the complete absence of extras is disappointing.
In conclusion, despite possessing all the necessary elements for a compelling film—a bank robbery that has inspired numerous adaptations, including the Pacino classic A Dog Day Afternoon (1975)—Stockholm fails to deliver. For a more accurate depiction of the events of August 1973, the Swedish film Norrmalmstorg (2003) is a superior alternative. It also features Shanti Roney (who plays Olof Palme in Stockholm) in a significant role as the real-life robber Clark Olofsson (renamed Gunnar Sorensson in Stockholm), and Torkel Pettersson delivers a compelling portrayal of Jan Erik Olsson (named Kaj Hansson in Stockholm), the initial perpetrator who entered the bank and took hostages. Viewers are advised to choose that film over this regrettable production. The absence of worthwhile extras on the Blu-ray further diminishes its value, resulting in a low final rating.
Footnote: The preceding quote is sourced from Expressen’s article regarding the film Stockholm.
Så här sätter vi betyg på Senses