The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)

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  TheMovieDiorama

  8 / 10

  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo ferociously breathes fire and violence. The 'Millenium' trilogy of books is a series that has sold million of copies. A film adaptation was only a matter of time. Fortunately we are presented with an original authentic Swedish perspective which refuses to shy away from the visceral violence that the book bathed in. A disgraced reporter is hired to solve a murder case that has been unsolved for 40 years. He soon gains assistance from a professional hacker, where the two unevenly work together. It's a murder mystery, but what differentiates this from typical crime investigations is the journalistic approach and its characters. There are no elaborate car chase sequences through bustling streets or extensive shoot outs with the eventual culprit. It's more intellectually stimulating than that. Arcel's screenplay succinctly places breadcrumbs, leaving you ample opportunity to attempt to solve the case whilst the two protagonists do the same. This is then accompanied by an unconventional relationship between Lisbeth and Mikael. These two individuals are very different, yet very much alike. Their odd chemistry, and at times provocatively seductive, make them interesting and alluring. Rapace's performance is the stand out. The grunge attire and transformative makeup enhance her dominant performance. Being able to balance the vulnerability of Lisbeth, particularly during the terrifying rape scene, with the aggressive side. Nyqvist on the other hand I thought was bland for the most part, unable to make Mikael an investing character. Although he did become more involving towards the second half, particularly as he gets closer to the culprit. The pace is consistent for this long thriller, that is until the case is solved. The final twenty minutes meander slightly and lose that taut tempo that Oplev had produced. Primarily due to no progression in the story. In saying that though, the vast majority of the film was a gripping mystery that embodied the cold harsh environment of rural Sweden. Very much looking forward to the next chapter!

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