Män som hatar kvinnor (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)

Girls who look like that most likely have a dragon tattoo somewhere.

This film was based on a book of the same title. But you don't really need to know that.

This film also has a Hollywood version, which will come out this year. But you also don't really need to know that.

What you do need to know is that this is an excellent film, and is possibly the best Swedish film I've seen. Then again, I haven't seen that many Swedish films. Maybe just some Ace of Base videos and an ABBA documentary.

This film is a mystery thriller. A whodunit, to be more precise. We're looking at a missing girl, who may or may not have been murdered. I don't really want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet.

Anyway, one thing I appreciated after seeing this was the language of cinema. There is actually a correct way to tell stories visually. That is the reason a good film will always be a good film, in whatever language. The styles may differ, the content may vary, but the language remains the same.

This film has succeeded in telling a really great suspense story. I honestly expected to be yawning ten minutes into the film. Instead, I found myself sweating at the palms. Partly because the summer heat is starting to swelter at this time of year. And partly because it was a damn great suspense story. And also partly because Noomi Rapace was great as Lisbeth Salander.

Even her non-acting is acting.

Of course, credit should probably go to the brilliant director, Niels Arden Oplev.

Now this got me worried about the remake. Would it be as good as the original? Or rather, would it be as effective as the original? Whatever. Who's the director? Oh, it's David Fincher. Okay, he'll do. The Social Network was okay. But more importantly: Rooney Mara, who plays Lisbeth Salander in the Hollywood version.

Punks. Not. Death.

By the way, I don't like her as Lisbeth Salander. She's... eeewww. So here's a prettier photo of her which you can take with you in your dreams.

Mmm... Rooney Mara.

Wait a minute. According to W Magazine:

Fincher’s film departs dramatically from the book: Mikael Blomkvist is more gentlemanly, Salander is more aggressive—and the ending has been completely altered.

Damn you, Fincher!

But wait. What are you all worried about? This is the Swedish version. Go watch it. The original is always the best.


*some info from IMDb
pics from Alt Film Guide Electrifries, and W Magazine


Män som hatar kvinnor. Sweden. 2009.


Rating: Nine out of ten.



You may also want to read the review for The Girl Who Played With Fire.