Been waiting to see this film for about six months since reading the book. It was out in the
UK today and I took the afternoon off specially to go and watch it.
Firstly, a brief synopsis...
Disgraced investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired by a wealthy industrialist Henrik Vanger to solve the disapperance and presumed murder of his niece 40 years ago. Prior to his engagement, a background check is carried out on Blomkvist by Lisbeth Salander (our tattooed heroine). She too becomes intrigued by the mystery and despite her reclusive nature, decides to help him unravel the circumstances behind the disappearance. However, there is the small matter of her sadistic and brutal guardian to deal with first...
And now the review (no spoilers)...
The book was a tightly plotted and intriguing mystery with Salander's story working in parallel and further expanding the "Men Who Hate Women" (the original Swedish title) theme. In this respect, the film doesn't let the book down and though some elements feel slightly rushed, all major plot points are covered. Subplots involving Blomkvist's libel battle with a financial corporation and his affair with his magazine's editor are either toned down or jettisoned entirely. This makes sense and if you want to know every character's inner thoughts and motivations, read the book!
The film rightly recognises that the true star of the story is Salander and covers her ordeals (and subsequent retributions!) with some relish. Noomi Rapace was an excellent casting choice and adds depth to what could have been just another angry goth. She brilliantly captures the vulnerability of a girl who really just wants to be left alone, but is only too willing to extend her claws when people (mostly men) disrupt her life.
After a subdued first hour or so (punctuated by one of Salander's more shocking experiences), the film steps up a gear as Blomkvist and Salander join forces and begin to make sense of the few available clues. If you like stories where people solve mysterys by pinning all the evidence to a wall and linking it together with thread and post-it notes, you won't be disappointed! It all builds to a thrilling climax where... well, if you're expecting the
hero to come to the rescue at the last possible moment, you're watching the wrong film
All in all, a cracking murder mystery, with a great central performance by Rapace - 4/5
Oh... be warned, the film is Swedish and there is a lot of reading to be done in terms of subtitles if you want to stand any chance of following the plot.
