The Snowman

I had high hopes for this one.  I recently read the book by Jo Nesbo.  He has written seven other books that feature Norwegian detective Harry Hole.  The book was no “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” but was still an interesting read.  I wish the movie had been even 1/10 as good as the novel!  I wonder how people who didn’t read the novel were able to follow the plot, because I was confused and I knew what was happening….kind of.  The action jumped around a lot, and they did not develop the characters well.  You don’t find yourself interested or invested in them, even the main people!  Michael Fassbender is a great actor, but even he couldn’t imbue the character of Harry Hole with any real life or interest.  You never find yourself getting behind him as an investigator. Toby Jones and J.K. Simmons were wasted in their roles, as was a rather debilitated looking Val Kilmer. This was another movie where those involved made inexplicable changes to the plot that added nothing to the story.  For what it’s worth (and no spoiling here) the main story is that a serial killer is killing promiscuous women and sometimes using their heads as a topping for his snow creations.  Detective Hole and his new partner are on the case.  Who is the killer?  What is going on?  Who cares?  This is definitely not one that I would recommend.