The strength of a family lies in the absolute trust of one member towards another, just as the strength of an army is based on the loyalty between its members. If this trust is broken by hope, the defeat is inevitable and will be complete, because the enemy’s rifles will invade from everywhere and especially from where the defender did not imagine.
In Netflix’s No. 1 hit An Almost Normal Family, the Sandals family seems to live an almost idyllic life in the affluent suburb of Oakridge. Ulrika, a dedicated and successful lawyer, Adam, a respected priest, guides his flock on the path of spirituality and their daughter Stella, a cheerful bakery-pastry worker, who despite the traumatic experience of rape she suffered a few years ago , the twenty-year-old woman, seems to have found the self-confidence, the will and the will to put her life in order and move forward with her somewhat limited, admittedly, life goals.
The family’s seeming peace, however, crumbles when Stella becomes the focus of a murder investigation. Accused of murdering a 32-year-old man, with whom she spent a night of wild fun in Copenhagen and then formed some kind of relationship with him. Stella’s world is transformed and from the familiar warmth of family, work and everyday life, she suddenly finds herself in a cold prison cell, alone, scared and unprotected.
The world of Sandals is fundamentally shaken. The police, in their attempt to solve the crime, search Stella’s house and collect evidence to tie the case with evidence. Ulrika and Adam, the parents of the young woman surprised by the accusations against their daughter, struggle to understand the events and fearing the effects on their child’s life, they try to cover up traces or evidence that might incriminate Stella. As the city is gripped by scandal, the Sandals find themselves embroiled in a painful legal battle that forces them to face uncomfortable truths.
The series weaves a complex narrative, delving into the depths of family ties and individual secrets. Driven by an unwavering desire to protect their daughter, Ulrika and Adam embark on a frantic search for clues and a sloppy investigation of events to unravel the mystery surrounding Stella’s life. In their quest for justice, they are confronted with unpleasant truths about their daughter, their own faltering relationship, and the veneer of normalcy that covered their family.
In all this suffocating situation, slowly, slowly, the layers of the Sandals family’s past are lifted, revealing hidden vulnerabilities and strained relationships. Ulrika, the determined lawyer, must struggle with her own beliefs and morals. Adam, the steadfast priest, faces a crisis of faith as his family’s foundations shake. Caught between devotion and personal revelations, Stella struggles through memories to find her lost balance.
An Almost Normal Family, a crime thriller based on MT Edwardson’s bestselling book, the series unfolds as an exploration of the complexities of a seemingly ordinary family pushed to its limits by a shocking crime. Directed by Per Hanefjord, known for his work on “Agent Hamilton. The script, written by Platt and Jörnlind, keeps us in suspense, deftly revealing the layers of the story in each new episode. The series stars Alex Carlson Tyerfors, Lo Kaupi, Björn Bengtson.
The series delves into the exploration of the blurred lines between right and wrong, loyalty and betrayal, and the complex dynamics within a supposedly “normal” family. The narrative challenges preconceived notions, forcing the characters to question how well they really know those who live next to them, those they rely on, those they love. An Almost Normal Family unfolds as a suspenseful thriller, woven over family drama and steeped in powerful psychological exploration, as the Sandals navigate the treacherous terrain of truth, justice and self-awareness. As the narrative unfolds, everything is drawn into a rollercoaster of suspense, constantly questioning the guilt or innocence of the characters.
The cinematography, emphasizing the noir aesthetic, uses shadows and lighting to create an interesting atmosphere. The camera work effectively captures the emotional nuances of the characters, enhancing the impact of key scenes.
The settings reflect the tone of the narrative, from the mundane to the harrowing, adding depth to the narrative. The series takes place in and around Lund, southern Sweden. “It was important to me that it was filmed in Lund, where the book is set,” Edwardson, who is also an executive producer of the series, told Netflix.
Hanefjord’s direction offers a balanced mix of suspense and analysis of the characters’ emotional depth. The director’s ability to balance the various narrative threads contributes to the overall coherence of the story.
Although the series successfully navigates the challenges of adaptation, it is not without its flaws. Some scenario solutions do not obey common sense. That Stella’s mother hides her bloody clothes in the nursing home where her father lives, when she had the opportunity to dispose of them anywhere, even to burn them, raises questions.
The strength of “An Almost Normal Family” is that it interestingly analyzes the complexities of family ties under extreme circumstances. It navigates the blurred lines between right and wrong, justice and injustice, as the characters grapple with the consequences of their actions. The themes of loyalty, trust and the limits one is willing to go to protect one’s own are explored with keen insight and psychological depth.
The family sometimes suffers its members, sometimes its civilian population is oppressed by the “struggling dynasties” parents but sometimes when the ship is not taking much water and there is a rudimentary understanding, the family can be the supreme ark of joy and happiness.
#Normal #Family #Microscope #Resilience
