Peter Haber Movies

This is the second in the 1997-98 series of films featuring Stockholm Inspector Martin Beck (Peter Haber), the character created by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo, in new stories set in present-day Stockholm. In the first part of the series, Beck went after a murdering pedophile. In this follow-up entry, Beck's romantic interlude with a female associate Lena Klingstrom (Stina Rautelin) is interrupted when Beck and his sidekick Gunvald Larsson (Mikael Persbrandt) must move quickly to solve murders happening on Stockholm subway platforms, a situation threatening to cripple transportation throughout the city. This series is comprised of eight movies -- six for television and two for theatrical distribution. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Nine of Sweden's leading actresses are brought together in this unconventional comedy-drama about a group of actresses awaiting a casting announcement. A major American film producer is looking for a Swedish actress to play the title role in a big-budget remake of the classic Greta Garbo vehicle Queen Christina, and a handful of women who were in talks for the role wait with bated breath for the decision to be declared. Rebecca (Lena Endre), married to hunky matinee idol Ake (Mikael Persbrandt), is spending her 40th birthday waiting for word on the role. Alexandra (Suzanne Reuter) will be shooting a TV commercial, to be directed by Rolf (Brasse Brannstrom). Rolf used to be involved with Cecilia (Marie Richardson), who lately is nearly as well known for the fact that she's pregnant and not identifying the father as she is for her acting. Cecilia appears on a morning chat show with Georgina (Ewa Froling), who used to be in love with Gregor (Peter Haber), Alexandra's current husband. Stella (Helena Bergstrom) is a defiantly out lesbian who is having an affair with Karin (Marika Lagercrantz), the wife of film director Magnus (Rolf Lassgard). Stella also happens to be starring in Magnus' latest project, along with Ake and Molly (Pernilla August). Meanwhile, Git (Gunilla Roor) is in a session with her analyst, trying to come to terms with her feelings about her work, and Evior (Stina Ekblad) is in rehearsal for a musical, and reaching the regrettable conclusion that she can neither dance nor sing. In keeping with the film's tangled onscreen relationships, Helena Bergstrom, who plays a lesbian sleeping with her director's wife, is married to Colin Nutley, Gossip's writer and director. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Jönsson gang are a crew of lovable thieves who somehow always end up with the loot, despite being laughably incompetent. This is the sixth family comedy featuring this goofy gang. In this movie, they have a new leader, Dr. M.A. Busé, a medical doctor who has had to leave the practice of medicine. The old gang leader knew he was losing his own mental faculties, but before he went completely around the bend he designated the doctor to carry on in his stead. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

When his television set is impounded during the 1990 finals of international championship soccer, deeply indebted and aimless Johan's world comes crashing down. To make matters worse, a loan shark has sicced his thugs on the young deadbeat. But even though his life is in grave danger, Johan is such a rabid football fan that he is willing to risk everything just to catch a glimpse of those all important matches. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In what has to be one of the worst ideas in Christmas party planning history, Swedish house wife Sara (Katarina Ewerlof) decides to celebrate the yuletide season with her three ex-husbands and their families. Though her current spouse Janne (Peter Haber) initially is quite opposed, he eventually gives in. At first, the party -- filled with adults and children alike -- recalls the gauzy warmth of the famous Christmas scene in Fanny and Alexander (1982). Then the booze kicks in. Families start infighting. Janne grows increasingly annoyed as the guests make repeated references to having sex with his wife. And during dinner, Sara announces that she is pregnant. This strikes Janne as odd considering that he had a vasectomy a year before. Soon the party devolves into utter chaos. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

This dark Swedish comedy-drama is based on director Mats Arehn's memories of his father. The story is told from Arehn's point of view when he was a child. Palle Hagmann, a 1940's Swedish vaudeville singer is popular. He would be really popular were it not for his reputation for lying and cheating. He rationalizes to his son by explaining the different kinds of lies available. He admonishes him that white lies should be saved for the self. Hagmann tells white ones frequently and with increasing regularity; they get him into trouble. Hagmann moves his family around frequently until they finally end up in the South of France attempting to manage a hotel. Despite Hagmann's largely self-created problems, he remains a devout optimist. Arehn's exploration of his father creates a tragic scenario that ultimately culminates in love and forgiveness. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi