Sweden is home to the wealthy and powerful Vanger family. For forty years, the disappearance of his niece Harriet has haunted Henrik Vanger. He finally hires recently disgraced investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) to discover what really happened to her all those years ago. What he uncovers is shocking and dangerous, but he receives unlikely help from Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), a young and punk-styled computer hacker who has had some harrowing experiences of her own.

CRITIQUE

The publishing world has seen few successes so noteworthy recently as the kind which has greeted the American release of Stieg Larson’s Millenium trilogy, which begins with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. The trilogy continues to sell books at an impressive rate, and an American film adaptation of the first installment is currently underway. The home country of Larson, Sweden, has already beaten us to it, however. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is a marvelous and mature mystery, thoroughly engaging and risky at the same time, with strong direction and performances.

Let me offer this disclaimer up front: I haven’t yet read the novel upon which this film is based. (I think I may literally be the only one.) While I can’t offer any judgment on this adaptation’s authenticity to the book, this fact does allow me to arrive at the film, and by extension the story in it, with only the expectation of being entertained. I was. Viewers should be aware that there is disturbing adult content in this film--crimes of a sexual nature dominate the plot. If you are prepared for that, the investigation Blomqvist conducts will draw you in and make you eager for an answer to the question of what happened to Harriet Vanger.

The other strand of the plot--Lisbeth Salander’s experiences prior to joining the investigation and her romance with Blomqvist--is equally compelling. This part of the story doesn’t reveal all of her past, but she has to have a guardian. The new one she is assigned turns out to be a monster, and what he does to her and her retaliation is unforgettable. The narrative pushes the boundaries but still offers satisfaction to the audience in terms of a suspenseful plot and fitting conclusion. There is still sense of more to tell at the end, however, and the second installment, The Girl Who Played With Fire, has already been filmed and released in Sweden. I want to also point out the wonderful locations of the film, particularly the Vanger family island, though the music could offer more than the typical European sonic pulses.

The story is the star of the memorable Swedish film The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and the performances and direction only create more to entertain.

THE VIDEO

The film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and the transfer is as perfect as it always is. The beautiful locations for the Vanger family island are preserved especially well.

THE AUDIO

The English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track is typically good, despite the unimaginative music.

THE EXTRAS

None were included on the disc I received.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Girl With the Dragon Tttoo presents the adult content of its engrossing story in a straightforward way, and the acting and direction are such that the film feels nowhere near as long as it is. The aim of the American adaptation should be to equal this admirable Swedish one. Adults who want an exciting, well-written story would do well to at least rent this disc.