I just watched this gripping albeit disturbing crime thriller/mystery (also known as
"Män Som Hatar Kvinnor" or "Millennium: Part 1: Men Who Hate Women") based on the Swedish novel by Stieg Larsson. I went in knowing nothing about the plot except that it was based on a bestselling book and that's usually how I like to watch movies. This movie completely caught me off guard with the no-holds-barred graphic detail of sexual abuse, violence, and brutality. I definitely cringed and winced at more than one scene. Even though Lisbeth practiced un-PC vigilante vengeance, I felt it was poetic justice and even savored the sweet vindication when she meted out her own form of retribution.
I thought it was interesting that the author, Larsson, writes about these misogynistic characters due to one seminal instance in his life — he witnessed the gang rape of a young girl when he was 15. He did not go to the aid of the victim and felt guilty ever since. The rape victim was named Lisbeth, the same as the heroine in his tales.
In the movie, the main protagonist is played by Noomi Rapace, and she does a fantastic job in portraying the emotionally damaged and scarred character of Lisabeth Salander. The detective is played by the famous Swedish actor, Michael Nyqvist. I'm looking forward to watching the sequel to this movie, "The Girl Who Played with Fire."
