Schlafende Hunde

It held my interest from the start and watched Sleeping Dog over two nights. There were times when I questioned certain situations that were lacking in probability as when the daughter of a police officer gets in a stranger's car because he says he knows her father. Some people in authority have shifty eyes and know one helps each other out. There never seems to be much traffic in Berlin and a scene where one party says we have to go to a place more quiet but they are the only ones in a park along a river. Yes, one elderly man is in the distance,so what. A young attractive district attorney is always acting like an undercover investigator running down alleys or entering dark cellars. She claims s she witness a murder and asks Should I got to the police ?

It's a slow burn but it doesn't get boring. The story of Mike Atlas is engaging made more complicated because he has a wife and daughter who're clueless about what's happening to him, and who are just about to give up on him.

The viewer, like Mike, is bent on pursuing the leads that would jog his memory to remember his past and uncover his mistake.

It's a typical German production quite competent in its execution. The cinematography is great; the script is tight, well-written. The characters come alive with their own backstories.

The actors do justice to the roles they are assigned to give life to. Special mention to Max Riemelt, Melika Foroutan and Carlo Ljubek.

This series has so many twists and turns you think you're on a merry-go-round. What keeps it going is the wonderful acting from everyone involved. Not just the main actors, but everyone is marvelous. Given the context of the series, it's unexpected to find such good acting. Equally outstanding is the photography and the music.

Of all the good features, it's the story that compels viewing. In about 90% of the films/series I watch I can tell you the ending right away. But this one fooled me, pretty much right up to the end. Only in the last hour of the final episode did I figure it out, and that gives you some idea of how good it is.

In english, it's sleeping dog, but in german, it's schlafende hunde. A six episode arc, with two directors and three writers. According to imdb, this is a remake of the israeli series exchange principle, which had three chapters. Atlas, a former cop, is living on the streets. But has not given up trying to solve an old cold case. He breaks into offices after hours, and tries to stay under the radar. Andergast, the public prosecutor, also wants to reopen the case, but for very different reasons. Lots of mysteries and questions. Witnesses that won't come forward, for various reasons. Some are getting knocked off. They seem to be up against powerful families that stick together, and will do anything to succeed. Both atlas and andergast have people helping them and people working against them. Lots of suspense and drama. Mostly good stuff! Although one of the cops held up evidence, a hand gun, while wearing gloves. But he held the gun right where the suspect's fingerprints would be !! Bad cop.

Schlafende Hunde is a very well made German crime drama about a traumatized former police officer in search for what has caused his trauma. His story unfolds after the suicide of an innocent prisoner, for who's conviction he was largely responsible.

The story is original and told very well in six episodes. Every episode reveals a little more of the final plot. Build-up, scenario acting and dialogues are just fine. This series shows an intelligent combination of psychological drama, conspiracy and an atmosphere in which there's hardly any clarity as to who can be trusted.

A bit of a slow burner but just right. Definitely recommended.