Drechslers zweite Chance (2004)

Dortmund tow-truck operator Sebastian Drechsler shows no mercy to illegal parkers, least of all parking offender Novak. Drechsler, a former police officer, holds Novak—a private detective and former police officer—partly responsible for the death of his wife Tanja, also a police officer, in a shootout three years earlier. Drechsler’s friend, police officer Budde, supplies him with tips and blank parking tickets in exchange for a “commission.” One day, Drechsler crosses paths with the Dane Iben Ameland and her seven-year-old son, Milan. He saves the boy’s life when he falls from a roof. Iben has taken a room at a guesthouse while fleeing her husband. As it happens, Henry Ameland hires private detective Novak to find his wife and Milan. Novak tracks down the guesthouse, but Iben and Milan manage to escape at the last moment. On the run, they hide in Drechsler’s truck. The perpetually bad-tempered Drechsler reluctantly takes them home with him. By chance, Novak discovers that the Amelands have taken shelter with Drechsler and informs Henry. The next day, Henry runs into Iben and Milan while ice-skating for Milan’s birthday. He begs Iben to come back to him, but she refuses. The parents eventually get into a scuffle in front of a distressed Milan. Having witnessed the confrontation, Drechsler decides to spare the boy the separation of his parents. With Novak’s help, the following morning he arranges a meeting between Iben and Henry. The plan works, and Iben and Henry do in fact reconcile. In the end, Drechsler makes peace with Novak and also falls in love with Jenny, the owner of a pub, who has always had a soft spot for him. For the first time since Tanja’s death—which he has finally managed to get over—he goes bowling again with his buddy Budde.