THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
****
Director: Daniel Alfredson
Screenwriter: Jonas Frykberg - adapted from the novel by Stieg Larsson
Principal cast:
Noomi Rapace
Michael Nygvist
Yasmine Garbi
Lena Andre
Peter Andersson
Annika Hallin
Country: Sweden/Denmark/Germany
Classification: MA15+
Runtime: 129 mins.
Australian release date: 23 September 2010
The Girl Who Played with Fire is the follow up to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and is the second part of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy. It picks up from the point where we leave the first novel and sticks faithfully to the book, as does the first version. This makes it accessible for those who have not read the trilogies.
The focus is on one of the main characters, a formidable, nose-pierced, tattooed, chain-smoking young woman, Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), who has a very dark past. In this case she has been accused of a triple-murder and together, but working separately with her friend, the Millennium journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), they are caught up in a web of intrigue, which makes for an entertaining couple of hours as they attempt to prove Lisbeth’s innocence.
The lead characters are very charismatic. This is not Hollywood, but Sweden, where the focus is not on movie star looks, but more on performance. And, it shows. There is a real sense of realism in this portrayal of a situation that is quite horrific. Lisbeth is a force to be reckoned with, living in a world that seems to be dominated by vile men who have a total disregard for women and treat them like dirt. At one point, Lisbeth, who appears to be incapable of forming any close ties, is also accused of treating her friends like dirt and there is plenty of it.
During the only moment of intimacy, when she meets up with an old girlfriend, Miriam Wu (Yasmine Garbi), the camera focuses on her shoulders, which reveal a young woman who seems devoid of all emotion and yet, is extremely fragile. This is in stark contrast to the same girl who is able to bring down her enemies and ride off on a prized Harley with a wry smile on her face. Some viewers may respond with a few cheers after that scene.
This film version simply shows how, when a book is adapted well for the screen, it works. It is a complicated story which leaves little out and challenges its audience to go along for the ride, which at times gets pretty nasty. It is interesting to note that such a strong stance for womanhood was penned from a male perspective. This is not surprising, given that Larsson was a journalist, who was an expert on anti-democratic, right wing extremism.
There is a guaranteed audience for, The Girl Who Played with Fire, as there was for the first in the trilogy and this one does not disappoint. The villains are tough and scary and the semi-bleak environment adds to the story’s atmosphere. The performances are all excellent and the tension is kept at a very high level. You are left wanting more. Hopefully part three is not too far off.
Screenwriter: Jonas Frykberg - adapted from the novel by Stieg Larsson
Principal cast:
Noomi Rapace
Michael Nygvist
Yasmine Garbi
Lena Andre
Peter Andersson
Annika Hallin
Country: Sweden/Denmark/Germany
Classification: MA15+
Runtime: 129 mins.
Australian release date: 23 September 2010
The Girl Who Played with Fire is the follow up to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and is the second part of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy. It picks up from the point where we leave the first novel and sticks faithfully to the book, as does the first version. This makes it accessible for those who have not read the trilogies.
The focus is on one of the main characters, a formidable, nose-pierced, tattooed, chain-smoking young woman, Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), who has a very dark past. In this case she has been accused of a triple-murder and together, but working separately with her friend, the Millennium journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), they are caught up in a web of intrigue, which makes for an entertaining couple of hours as they attempt to prove Lisbeth’s innocence.
The lead characters are very charismatic. This is not Hollywood, but Sweden, where the focus is not on movie star looks, but more on performance. And, it shows. There is a real sense of realism in this portrayal of a situation that is quite horrific. Lisbeth is a force to be reckoned with, living in a world that seems to be dominated by vile men who have a total disregard for women and treat them like dirt. At one point, Lisbeth, who appears to be incapable of forming any close ties, is also accused of treating her friends like dirt and there is plenty of it.
During the only moment of intimacy, when she meets up with an old girlfriend, Miriam Wu (Yasmine Garbi), the camera focuses on her shoulders, which reveal a young woman who seems devoid of all emotion and yet, is extremely fragile. This is in stark contrast to the same girl who is able to bring down her enemies and ride off on a prized Harley with a wry smile on her face. Some viewers may respond with a few cheers after that scene.
This film version simply shows how, when a book is adapted well for the screen, it works. It is a complicated story which leaves little out and challenges its audience to go along for the ride, which at times gets pretty nasty. It is interesting to note that such a strong stance for womanhood was penned from a male perspective. This is not surprising, given that Larsson was a journalist, who was an expert on anti-democratic, right wing extremism.
There is a guaranteed audience for, The Girl Who Played with Fire, as there was for the first in the trilogy and this one does not disappoint. The villains are tough and scary and the semi-bleak environment adds to the story’s atmosphere. The performances are all excellent and the tension is kept at a very high level. You are left wanting more. Hopefully part three is not too far off.