There are
noticeable changes between the book and the adaptation, but not such huge
changes that it takes away from the central plot on which both the book and
this movie are based. I have to say, watching this Swedish adaptation of the
late Stieg Larsson’s book (of the same name) is one ride that I will not easily
forget. The movie carries the same intrigue and depth of investigation that the
book offers.
The acting in
this movie is world-class, and the way things played out is best left for you
to see and enjoy. There’s some amazing direction in this movie that will make
you appreciate the director Niels Arden Oplev’s take. He took the movie’s dark
theme and made it readily available to see without allowing the gruesomeness of
the entire situation to run away with this investigative crime thriller—add to
that, some beautiful Swedish scenery.
This is the
first movie in the series and also serves as an introduction to both leads. It
sets the background to show how they both developed into who they are and also
how they met and shaped their relationship.
The movie starts
with Mikael (Michael Nyqvist) losing a libel case—he is sentenced to pay a fine
and serve some time in jail. His problem doesn’t end there, as the billionaire
he lost the case to goes further to slander his name and drag his personal life
into the papers.
On the other
side of things, we have Lisbeth (Noomi Rapace), a socially awkward lady who we
can see right away has a dark past. She was sent to investigate Mikael by a
lawyer, an investigation that made us understand that Mikael was actually set
up.
Lisbeth, because
of her troubled childhood, has a legal guardian watching over her. His job is
to monitor and assess her for as long as he sees fit before he writes that she
is now mentally capable of being on her own. Her old guardian fell ill, and a
new one was sent to her, who wanted to take advantage of the situation to
control her. Lisbeth handled his problem.
Later on, we see
Mikael hired by a wealthy man to investigate the disappearance/murder of his
ward, Harriet. Mikael starts to investigate, and when he asks for help, he is
sent Lisbeth. The two begin investigating Harriet’s murder, and that leads them
down the path of numerous murders of other girls all over the country, from the
1940s to the time of Harriet’s disappearance.
The two thought
they could handle how deep things went and the complexity of their predicament,
but as we watch, we too are dragged down the path, as things are never what
they seem.
The movie was a
huge financial success. It also got positive reviews from critics, and it was
followed by adaptations of the other two books written by Larsson. When you get
to see this movie, which is a total of three hours long, it is set in two
parts. I believe it was released as a six-part miniseries in some countries.
The second
movie, The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009), was also a good follow-up to this
movie. It received numerous awards and nominations, including a BAFTA for Best
Film Not in the English Language.
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