Film & TV

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Rating: MA 15+

Running time: 152 minutes

Release: 25 March 2010

ACF38C2

www.thegirltrilogy.com

www.palacenova.com

This gripping thriller is based on worldwide bestseller and the first in the “Millenium Trilogy” by Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson.  Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist)  is a middle aged investigative journalist who is due to serve a 3 month sentence for libel against a Swedish corporation.  Before beginning his incarceration he is hired by Henrik Vanger {Sven-Bertil Taube), CEO of the Vanger group of companies to investigate the disappearance of his 16 year old grand neice forty years ago.  Vanger wracked with guilt is obsessed with Henriette’s demise and suspects she was murdered by one of his dysfunctional family members.  Bloomkvist with nothing to lose he soon enlists the help of Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) a 24 year old troubled “career”  computer hacker to bring this cold case to life.

Rapace is outstanding in this female vigilante performance which goes beyond the superficial mainstream kick ass level.  She manages to display such a deep haunting coldness and inner “surviorism” which brilliantly trandscends the celluloid.  I was mesmorised by her unfortunately less so by Nyqvist however it doesn’t diminish the film’s entrancing quality.  Director Niels Arden Oplev who manages to transform this best seller book into great cinema.  Those that have read the novel may be a bit disappointed as not every detail is brought to the screen but topping at 152 minutes I dont believe trying to fit everything in would have made for a better film.  The film is gripping and in spite of its length it holds your attention for the entire time. 

Though it will be interesting to see how successful this film will be in light of majority subtitle challenged.  The musical score by Jacob Groth just underlined the tension and dark underbelly themes to a tee.  Though an American version is being touted like most Americanised remakes of brilliant foreign films I suggest don’t wait and its worth the reading!  Bring on the next installment I can’t wait.

4/5 stars

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