"Familien" is an episode of the famous German "Tatort"-series, dealing with the supposed kidnapping of a talented young lady. When a bachelor gets killed and thenransom is found with him, investigators try to find a connection between the two of them.
I really liked the scenario that is created here, which is why I decided to watch this episode in the first place. Unfortunately, what follows is a rather basic German crime movie, bringing up a lot of family issues that in the end help to solve the case, which is only of limited stringence. It would be a lie to say that it is not entertaining but there are certain aspects, like the awful side-plot of one of the investigator's marriage, that are clearly just created to make this film a feel-good movie for families and elder people and are a perfect example for what is going wrongin German television.
All in all this is a solid tv-crime-film that is entertaining enough to keep you occupied for an evening but wastes a lot of its own potential trying to not be controversial and be suitable for every possible audience.
I really liked the scenario that is created here, which is why I decided to watch this episode in the first place. Unfortunately, what follows is a rather basic German crime movie, bringing up a lot of family issues that in the end help to solve the case, which is only of limited stringence. It would be a lie to say that it is not entertaining but there are certain aspects, like the awful side-plot of one of the investigator's marriage, that are clearly just created to make this film a feel-good movie for families and elder people and are a perfect example for what is going wrongin German television.
All in all this is a solid tv-crime-film that is entertaining enough to keep you occupied for an evening but wastes a lot of its own potential trying to not be controversial and be suitable for every possible audience.
