Rarely does watching a movie encourage me to pick up the book! But the first instalment of the late Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson’s ‘Millennium Trilogy’ The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) did just that. This effective thriller describes the relationship between a middle-aged left wing investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and a young bi-sexual ward of the state, researcher and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (played by the immensely attractive Noomie Rapace). The pair join forces to investigate the disappearance, some 40 years ago, of the great niece of Hendric Vanger, the 82 year-old former Chief Executive Officer of a group of companies owned by a very wealthy dynasty. The strength of this excellent film, directed by Neils Arden Oplev, is in its tremendous story with its skilfully drawn lead characters especially the anti authoritarian punk Salander with her intriguing back story. I love the way modern Swedish drama never allows itself to cut corners or soften the blow (Wallander, Let the Right One In) there seems to be a fascinating coldness in Swedish character that must reflect the county’s landscape? The whole film is totally gripping for its two and a half hour running time and not to be missed. My film of the year so far.
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