Terribly Happy

Copenhagen police officer Robert Hansen has been temporarily reassigned by his supervisor, the chief of police in Tonder, to serve as the only law enforcement officer in the small village of Skarrild, nestled within a damp lowland area. Recently emerging from therapy following a breakdown triggered by a violent confrontation with his wife and her lover, Robert feels a deep longing to complete his assignment so he can reunite with his daughter, Josefine, who has been misled to believe he is in Australia.

Upon his arrival in Skarrild, Robert encounters a cast of eccentric locals, including Dr. Zerleng and his two companions, the grocer and the village priest, who are eager for him to join their regular card game. He also meets Ingelise Buhl, a woman tormented by domestic abuse, who starts to weave herself into the fabric of Robert’s daily life. Robert’s curiosity leads him to a local bicycle shop, only to discover it’s been abandoned since the owner mysteriously vanished some time ago. It soon becomes apparent to Robert that the residents of Skarrild prefer administering their own form of justice rather than involving the authorities from Tonder.

As Robert takes on a protective stance towards Ingelise, feelings for her begin to blossom. Following an incident of violence from her husband, Jørgen, Robert visits her home, finding the door ajar. Inside, he stumbles upon an inebriated Jørgen sprawled on the stairs and discovers Ingelise battered and vulnerable in bed. During a moment of intense intimacy, she begins to seduce him, and, caught in the throes of passion, Robert accidentally suffocates her with a pillow when her gasps threaten to awaken Jørgen. Swiftly, he escapes without rousing Jørgen, who remains unconscious on the stairs. The following day, as the tragedy unfolds, Robert is compelled to re-enter the scene of his misfortunate act to investigate. Although he attempts to confess the truth, he is coerced by the doctor into a murky cover-up, as the physician insists the death was due to a heart attack. Frustratingly, Robert knows in his heart that Jørgen may have been responsible, yet the notion of leaving Ingelise’s child, Dorthe, an orphan weighs heavily on him, leading to a profound internal struggle and overwhelming guilt.

As Robert prepares for Ingelise’s funeral, he becomes aware of a button missing from his uniform pocket—a remnant of their tragic encounter. At the mournful luncheon, a warning from the priest echoes in his mind: he should keep an eye out for Jørgen, as townsfolk harbor deep-seated disdain for those who harm their wives. Later that night, Robert vigilantly parks outside Jørgen’s home only to witness a group of men forcibly escorting Jørgen towards the bog at gunpoint. For the first time, Robert acts decisively, brandishing his own gun and ordering the men to stop. He manages to rescue Jørgen, bringing him back home only to discover Dorthe hiding at the grocer’s and mistakenly revealing that she observed him leaving her house the night of her mother’s death. He skillfully convinces her that there was a misunderstanding and returns her to her father.

Tensions escalate when Jørgen challenges Robert to a drinking competition at a bar, leading them both to Robert’s apartment. In a drunken haze, Jørgen produces the missing button from Robert’s uniform, revealing that he has an inkling of the truth. In a moment of desperation, Robert retrieves his gun and fatally shoots Jørgen, thereafter disposing of his body in the bog. Exhausted, he returns to his police car and falls into a restless slumber.

The following day, the Tonder chief of police arrives, leading Robert to investigate a boot discovered in the bog—belonging to Jørgen. Anxiety mounts as Robert waits for his impending fate in the chief’s cruiser. However, the chief proposes an unsettling plan: they could simply label Jørgen’s death as suicide, absolving Robert of guilt and allowing him to return to his previous post in Copenhagen, close to his daughter once more. The notion of returning home brings a fleeting smile to Robert’s face.

As he gets ready to leave Skarrild behind and pack his bags, he stops by Dr. Zerleng’s ongoing card game to bid farewell. Yet, the locals are acutely aware of the dark happenings involving Ingelise and Jørgen. Expressing their relief at their departure, they also threaten that knowledge of Robert’s actions could be detrimental to his life back in Copenhagen. The grocer ominously remarks, “You’re our man now, Robert,” prompting Robert to take a seat at the table, seemingly embracing his fate as their new accomplice.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:56