We all have our dark and dirty thoughts, but nothing in your mind can prepare you for the happenings in “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.” It takes us to the darkest parts of the world and leaves us there, shivering in our own fear. When dealing with a film that disregards any boundaries, we find ourselves being able to explore subjects that are seldom seen on the big screen.
Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) is a popular reporter in the middle of a scandal that has just landed him a short jail sentence. He has only a few months before he is to serve time and since he has disassociated himself with his Millennium magazine crew, he finds himself sitting idle and awaiting his certain fate. That is until he is surprised with an offer from a high-power businessman named Martin Vanger (Peter Haber).
Vanger, whom has been searching for his niece for nearly forty years, has exhausted all options and is content with hiring Blomkvist to make one final attempt to solve the mystery. Blomkvist seems to be at a standstill until master hacker Lisabeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) goes through the files on his computer, coming across a huge lead in the case.
Although it proves to be difficult, Blomkvist convinces Lisabeth to assist him on the case, and soon she moves into his cottage and they begin vigorously digging into any lead they find. Even though the list of suspects rapidly shrinks, the film leaves you guessing until the very end, and it pays off in a big way.
It has been a big year for foreign films. Many acclaimed titles have made their way across the pond, landing in our theaters for our viewing pleasure. Director Niels Arden Oplev is the man responsible for this particular film, and he should be proud of his latest work. It is always a difficult feat to adapt a novel into a film without disappointing fans of the written word. I feel I should mention that I have not read the book personally, although I’ve only heard good things, and it seems that the anticipation of this film is unquestionably strong. I can only speculate — and if you don’t believe me see other reviews — that Oplev achieved greatness in his efforts. He has a distinct talent to keep us genuinely interested — even with a runtime of over two and a half hours.
While they may or may not be appreciated in Sweden, I am obviously unfamiliar with all of the thespians in this film. That being said, I was extremely impressed with the talent at hand. Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace share a very intense connection on screen. It feels painful and exciting at the same time. Dealing with emotional issues most people could never imagine, Rapace is able to give us a tour inside the head of an emotionally and physically abused young woman.
This film is not for the light of heart. It won’t leave you feeling uplifted or inspired. In fact, it might do the exact opposite, but that’s what makes it such a beautiful film. It doesn’t try to hide it’s expectations. While these issues might not have a place in our everyday lives, they do exist, and we need to appreciate that. “Dragon Tattoo” is a thriller in it’s top form, combining elements of horror and drama into the mix, creating an edge of your seat monster.