The headline “Polizei-Gewerkschaft in Kassel verleiht Preis an Mario Barth und Rosenheim-Cop-Star” is a bit misleading, as it doesn’t fully capture the dramatic twists and turns of the fictional “Die Rosenheim”-inspired movie. While the awarding of a prize by the Kassel Police Union to comedian Mario Barth and a *Rosenheim-Cops* star (let’s call him Hauptkommissar Kowalski for the sake of this spoiler) is a real event within the film, it serves more as a backdrop to a far more complex and suspenseful narrative.
The movie begins with the seemingly celebratory event in Kassel. Kowalski, initially reluctant to accept the award given his recent string of frustrating cases back in Rosenheim, is eventually persuaded. He’s there ostensibly to accept the award for exemplary police work, alongside Barth, whose connection to the plot unfolds slowly. However, the glamorous ceremony quickly unravels into a chaotic scene.
The attack isn’t random. A meticulously planned operation unfolds, targeting specifically Kowalski and, to a lesser extent, Barth. It turns out that a seemingly dormant case Kowalski handled years ago in Rosenheim—involving a complex money laundering scheme connected to a powerful international crime syndicate—has resurfaced. The syndicate, using sophisticated technology and inside information, orchestrated the Kassel attack to eliminate Kowalski before he could testify in a crucial upcoming trial.
Barth’s unexpected involvement is key. His initial appearance seems like a publicity stunt, but he unwittingly becomes entangled in the conspiracy when a crucial piece of evidence—a cleverly disguised data chip—is discovered in his possession. It’s revealed that he was unknowingly used as a pawn in the syndicate’s plan, his public persona and frequent travel masking his involvement in the unwitting transfer of vital information.
The second act of the film focuses on a tense cat-and-mouse chase across Germany, with Kowalski and Barth, now unlikely allies, constantly one step ahead of the assassins sent after them. They discover the syndicate is far larger and more insidious than they ever imagined, reaching into the highest echelons of power within German law enforcement. Kowalski’s past case was far more significant than he realized, impacting multiple political figures and businesses across Germany.
The climax involves a thrilling showdown in a hidden location in the Bavarian Alps, close to Rosenheim. This location is revealed to be a secret base of operations for the syndicate, where they process and launder the illicit money. During this confrontation, unexpected alliances form and betrayals are revealed, testing the trust between Kowalski and Barth. The film brilliantly plays on the contrast between the light-hearted persona of Barth and the grim reality of Kowalski’s dangerous situation.
In a surprising twist, Kowalski isn’t just fighting for his life but also for the integrity of the German police force, unveiling a deep network of corruption that stretches back decades. He manages to expose the entire criminal network and bring the perpetrators to justice, but not without significant personal sacrifice and losses. The movie concludes with Kowalski returning to Rosenheim, somewhat disillusioned but resolved to continue his fight for justice, while Barth returns to his stand-up comedy, with a newfound appreciation for the risks faced by law enforcement officials. The award ceremony becomes a mere footnote in a much larger, more gripping and morally complex story.
