Män som hatar kvinnor

Män som hatar kvinnor (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) (2009)
Directed by Niels Arden Oplev

Having read the book and watched both the American and Swedish versions of the film, I can now say that I prefer Fincher's.  Both films did a good job of adapting an incredibly dense and detail packed book, and neither were perfect.  There are several details that Oplev included yet Fincher left out, and vice versa.  And there are many aspects that I like more about each film than the other.

So why don't I prefer the Swedish film?

Actors.
Physically, I think Michael Nyqvist is a better match for the Blomkvist of the book.  In his defense, Nyqvist did a good job of portraying a complex character.  However, I don't feel that he brought the fullness of Kalle's ferocious determination to life on screen as well as Daniel Craig did.

Noomi Rapace.
She is a wonderful actress, and it must be acknowledged that she was willing to take on, three times, what will probably be the most disturbing role of her career.  My problem with Rapace is that I've seen Rooney Mara.  Both actresses took on the insanely difficult task of portraying Lisbeth, and both have been praised for their performances by critics and the public.  Rapace was nominated for a BAFTA and many other awards for her performance.  Mara was nominated for an Oscar for hers.  For me, Mara's performance is better for two reasons.  First, the Swedish film wants the story to be about Blomkvist, which technically it is, but the American film is equally about Lisbeth.  I find Lisbeth's backstory and personality infinitely more interesting than Blomkvist,  and Fincher uses her time on screen to develop that without the spoilery flashbacks.  Secondly, Rapace's performance felt like a performance.  I know she spent a good amount of time studying the character, getting the piercings, learning Lisbeth's quirks.  But the whole time I was watching the film, I couldn't stop feeling like something was missing, like I was watching a performance.  When I watched the American film, I didn't see Mara performing.  I saw Lisbeth Salander, brought to life straight from page to screen.  I'm not going to say that she was perfect, but after the never ending audition process with Fincher and the year she spent in Sweden preparing for the role, Mara's performance felt nothing like a performance.  I was very disappointed when she didn't win the Oscar.

There are other things that factor into my preference, such as changes in and omissions of details, other performances (Lena Endre's Erika Berger), and general artisticness. (just can't compete with David Fincher...)

The Final Word:  Neither version is for the faint of heart.  Both are dark, sick, full of nudity and foul language, and very well made.  I would definitely advise against watching either before reading the book, solely so you know what you're getting into for the next 150 minutes.

4 out of 5 stars
Viewed May 27, 2012 on Netflix Instant Streaming