The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Reviews

“How many times have we seen a terrific book eviscerated when adapted for the screen? Well, this is not one of those cases. While the movie does depart from the book at many points, it is faithful to the spirit of Stieg Larsson's dynamic novel.

First off, the characters fit what I would expect of the two key protagonists--the journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the quirky Lisbeth Salander. Michael Nyqvist portrays "Kalle" Blomkvist in a most satisfying fashion. Indeed, as Salander refers to him in the novels, he is "Practical Pig" and an achingly well-meaning person. Noomi Rapace is Lisbeth Salander. If there is one role in this movie that cannot be compromised, it is Salander. The book's depiction of her calls for someone who is asocial, awkward in dealings with others, fully capable of violence, and not communicative. I wonder how Hollywood will depict Salander? However, in this movie version, Rapace is a revelation as the character. The movie (as the book) provides ample insight into how she has come to be not trusting of others (note her relationship to her new "guardian"). The actors, then, are part of what is critical to the success of this movie.

Second, the plot is compelling. Blomkvist is sentenced to prison for libel, when he is duped into publishing erroneous information in an expose of a billionaire published in his magazine, "Millennium." Aged Henrik Vanger, after an investigation of Blomkvist by none other than Salander, wants to finally learn the fate of his granddaughter Harriett, who had disappeared/been murdered forty years earlier. Before his prison sentence commences, Vanger hires Blomkvist (in the book, much of this action takes place after the prison sentence, but the difference is a matter of no consequence as the movie is structured) to investigate the mystery. He begins his task, housed in an outbuilding on a gloomy island, populated by other Vangers (who appear to enjoy internecine battles one with another). After having hacked Blomkvist's computer as part of her investigation of him, Salander becomes interested in the murder of five women. After a sequence that, once more, departs from the book without affecting the dynamics of the story, the two partner in trying to solve the crimes and figure out what had happened to Harriett.

Third, the cinematography is well done. The winter scenes almost made me shiver!

The movie lasts 2 1/2 hours, but it did not seem that long at all. For me, the action rushed ahead, to the point where Blomkvist discovers who the villain of the piece is, to where he is saved from death by Salander, to her tracking the murderer. Again, this scene departs from the book but it might be even more satisfying here in terms of the drama, as Salander is not just witness to the murderer's death, but has some role in that death. We learn of the even more ghastly deeds of the murderer than what the two had originally discovered.

While he is finally in prison, Salander sees Blomkvist one last time before she goes off to make her fortune. She gives Blomkvist the evidence he needs (from her ability to hack) to avenge himself against the billionaire who had duped him into actions leading to his stay in prison. Poignant, too, is her awkward kiss, as if she is not sure that she should show any warmth toward Blomkvist. . . . The book ends in the spirit of the novel, with Blomkvist seeing Salander on a video, in the process of her also helping him to destroy the tycoon Wennerstrom (although what she was doing was NOT in collaboration with Blomkvist!).

When the story diverges from the book, it still manages to maintain the spirit of the published work. In some cases, in fact, the movie might even outdo the book. In short, a very satisfying movie version of the first work in the trilogy.”