The original, Swedish language version of Stieg Larsson’s book sees the introduction of the very individual super-hacker Lisbeth Salander to the world and to a recently disgraced journalist in particular.
As independent journalist and publisher Mikael Blomkvist (Micheal Nyqvist – John Wick, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) loses his court case for libel against billionaire Wennerström, so wealthy industrialist Henrik Vanger (Sven-Bertil Taube – Puppet on a Chain, Händerna) reaches out to him. The offer is to help Vanger investigate the 40-year-old disappearance and presumed murder of his grandniece, 16-year-old Harriet. He suspects a member of his extended dysfunctional family. In return, the old man will not only pay Blomkvist handsomely, but provide information to prove Wennerström is indeed corrupt.
Obsession on the tiny island of Hedeby follows as Blomkvist immerses himself in the investigation, helped unexpectedly by Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace – Prometheus, The Drop) who becomes involved almost by accident. Her own experiences and that of the investigation mirror each other as misogyny and violence towards women consistently and continually dominate the narrative.
It’s an engaging, engrossing and occasionally challenging feature from director Niels Arden Oplev (Rose, Held For Ransom) as the deeply abused, asocial antihero Lisbeth wins hearts and minds of audiences in her personal struggle against the authorities.
Rating: 64%
The Girl Who Played With Fire (Part II)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (Part III)
An Opinion or Two 