False as water (Falsk som vatten) is a well made period drama thriller by Swedish film maker Hans Alfredsson, which is a notable director in Swedish film industry.
A publisher, which is quite a womaniser, is having affairs, and his wife and kids are aware of it, though they don't know much more. Still the tone of the dialog between the married couple are hostile and suspicious. A new female writing star is to be published, but together with her follows a nasty cheeky bloke which tend to be both rude and a drunk. The dialog between this couple as well, and this relationship seems almost threatening in itself. It's obvious that this is a start of a new affair between the publisher and the writer, which he installs in a spare apartment in a building with strange inhabitants. This is the start, which easily draws up a premise for both jealousy as well as hatred.
As all film by Alfredsson, the film language is unsophisticated and up front, without any fix ideas. The camera is sometimes the observer, when not engaged in the dialog. Scandinavian realism as he does well in his films. The camera also acts as a stalker and the feeling that someone is watching, adds to the suspense. Film music is well suited, and functions. The film gives a great 80's glimpse of Sweden, as well.
The title refers to a part of the dialog, where talk about fresh and clear water is both phony and false, and said as a meaningless chit-chat.
I found the up-building intriguing as interesting. You sense that there's something lingering in the air, that drives the interest. After a while the film changes to a "Fatal attraction"-like story. The comparison is quite obvious.
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