Almost everybody I know has read at least one of Stieg Larsson’s books. Prior to his sudden death of a heart attack in November 2004 he finished three detective novels in his trilogy the Millenium-series “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”; The Girl Who Played With Fire” and ” The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets’ Nest”
Stieg Larsson (1954-2004) was a Swedish writer and journalist who was originally mostly known for his struggle against racism and right-wing extremism…
Today I went to see the film based on the first novel. Not having read it to the end, I was totally taken by the suspense. It is an extremely violent film, but very effective. In the same way that “Silence of the lambs” was. I do not enjoy violent movies, but can appreciate the qualities of this film. I left the theater exhausted from holding my breath and being tense for such a long time. I was surprised at my reaction to one scene where a young girl tortures a horrible man… I was cheering for her and could almost feel pleasure in his pain….this is not like me at all…but it points to what the film is all about….when is revenge acceptable…and to what extent… Late in the film the hero says to the girl :”I would never have done what you did, but I can understand…” it reflects what a lot of spectators probably felt….
I probably would not have gone to see this film had I known how violent it was, but now that I have seen it I can say it is a very good film…but not for the faint of heat.
The actors are Sweedes, so nobody I was familar with. They are not handsome by Holliwood standards, yet you get very attached to them and do find beauty in their faces as the film unfolds.
http://www.cinemamontreal.com/aw/crva.aw/que/Montreal/e/32520/Millenium__Le_Film.html