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The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009)

Director: Daniel Alfredson

Time Out rating

Average user rating

10 reviews

Synopsis

More cyber-punk sleuthing with the second film adaptation of a novel by Steig Larsson.

Movie review

From Time Out London

Toning down, though not entirely ditching, the swathes of rough S&M sex that featured in ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ – the first movie to be made from Stieg Larsson’s trilogy – this sequel nevertheless drags us back into a world of breadknife-to-the-scrote feminism where sexual violence seldom goes without punishment. And again, it’s worth the price of admission alone to spend time in the company of Sweden’s premiere bisexual emo-sleuth, Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), as she gets tangled up in a hackneyed and unlikely plot where she must work out who has framed her for the murder of a journalist on the cusp of exposing a sex-trafficking ring.

The title refers to an incident from Lisbeth’s childhood when she doused her abusive father in petrol and set him ablaze – an event, it transpires, whose consequences she must now face.
Offering less of a cut-and-dried storyline than the first instalment, this film spends its running time carefully arranging the narrative dominoes in order to – hopefully – have them topple in the third and final film (due in November). The only real advantage of seeing ‘Dragon Tattoo’ first is that it gives depth and meaning to Lisbeth’s relationship with ruddy-faced reporter Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), who works tirelessly to clear the name of his erstwhile paramour. Filmed in murky, grainy tones which chime nicely with the squalid demi-monde that Lisbeth is forced to frequent, the film is more sharply focused on fleshing out mood and character than it is supplying rudimentary twists at cosy junctures. Certainly, much of the story is Google-powered, but is that not to be expected from an ace computer hacker? And the debate regarding the film’s feminist credentials is rendered moot at the point where Lisbeth takes down a leering Hell’s Angel with an electric Taser to the trouser area.

Author: David Jenkins

Time Out London Issue 2088: August 26 – September 1, 2010

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User reviews of this film

rosco said...

Posted on Dec 02 2010 12:31 What does the reviewer mean when he states that 'certainly much of the story is google powered' ?

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Simon said...

Posted on Nov 03 2010 13:36 "breadknife-to-the-scrote" feminism?!
Are you joking?
Surely more of a theme is seriously worrying violent abuse of women? Typically you've somehow managed to make this about a threat to your genitals.
Bravo

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Sep 20 2010 20:50 After the wildly over rated first (7/10 or 3*) comes the correctly rated second. Actually, its almost as good as "dragon" so another 7/10. So much more enjoyable without that first instalment "five star" over reaction. Good stuff - Full stop!

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critique said...

Posted on Sep 20 2010 15:56 Decent entertainment.

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JayneM said...

Posted on Sep 04 2010 21:27 Enjoyed this film immensley, I watched the 1st of this trilogy & then bought the books which are brilliant, just got to finish the last book before the final film comes out!

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Joe said...

Posted on Sep 01 2010 17:55 Haven't read any of the books or even seen the first film, but I really liked this. It was serious and intense, a very good drama. Sometimes disturbing but a very welcome change to a lot of the disposable, largely American dross that's been on the screens all year. Rapace's acting was outstanding, a believable and likeable heroine who makes Angelina Jolie's 'Salt' look like a cartoon character. Could well be the best film of the year.

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Gordon said...

Posted on Aug 31 2010 10:10 The makers did a good job of editing out all the padding of the novel but there seemed to be a few plotholes where scenes were filmed and then left out of the final print. It was easy to follow if you have read the book but it was a bit Benny Hillish when a character delivered a long speech in Swedish summed up in six words in the English subtitles.

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Paul said...

Posted on Aug 27 2010 23:18 I was disappointed after waiting excitedly for this film given the gripping plot of the second book, yet so much of the storylines are lost in the move to film. I liked TGWTDT but this was a wear film more suited to TV. Rapace now owns the role and doesn't really get enough screen time in the film. I wanted to like this film, but felt let down. Let's hope the final film is better.

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ARCHGATE said...

Posted on Aug 27 2010 23:00 Poorly directed.
poorly scored. Should have been a humdinger but there is not one single standout scene.An anti-climax after the first brilliant film. Shame..

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Mike said...

Posted on Aug 24 2010 08:35 A difficult one to review. The first film was excellent, as was the book. I’ve not yet reached the end of the second book, but I believe the story concludes in the third book. So, there’s no conclusion to the story of this second film – you’ll have to wait for the third if you’re only following the films. Noomi Rapace puts in an excellent performance, as do the rest of the cast. As usual, it’s often high-paced drama, with usual smattering of violence, and things and people that catch on fire while Lisbeth’s around. Probably not one to which to take your elderly mum. A good film – certainly rewarding for the many fans of the film and books. Why does Cineworld Haymarket have a few problems with large numbers and hosting premiers? Why the poor queuing arrangements, and waiting for the film to start on time?

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