Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)

Män som hatar kvinnor, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2009)
Directed by: Niels Arden Oplev
Written by: Nikolaj Arcel, Rasmus Heisterberg, Stieg Larsson
Starring: Ewa Fröling, Lena Endre, Noomi Rapace, Peter Andersson, Peter Haber, Stefan Sauk, Sven-Bertil Taube, Tomas Köhler, Yasmine Garbi

Niels Arden Oplev’s take on the first chapter of Stieg Larsson’s Millenium Trilogy is overlong but never boring. Perhaps more fitting as a two part mini series, the story focuses on the dark goings on of a powerful Swedish family. A down on his luck journalist called Mikael Blomkvist, played by Michael Nyqvist, is hired by a rich, retired member of the Vangar empire. He believes his niece was murdered by a member of the family, although the body was never found, and wants to know the truth. Mikael is helped by a young and talented hacker called Lisbeth (a mesmerizing Noomi Rapace) who is observing and bugging his every move for her client.They realize that the more they dig, the more the skeletons start to appear.

This is an above average thriller but tragically nothing more. The cold Swedish exteriors mirror the corrupt and heartless acts inflicted on the weak by the ‘so-called’ pillars of our society.

The film soars when Lisbeth (Rapace) is on the screen. Recently released from a jail/ mental institution, we know she has a tortured past and that she can look after herself, especially when dealing with sleazy parole officers. Sexy, aggressive but vulnerable, Lisbeth is far more interesting than the rather dull, Mikael.
The story and action crank into fourth gear in the final quarter. Although a little late in getting to the point, the conclusion left me satisfied and entertained with the villain of the piece suitable creepy. A strong, if unnecessarily long, murder/ mystery thriller. See it before the predictable Hollywood effort hits the theatres.

Rating:

[pt-filmtitle]The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo[/pt-filmtitle]