originals, in swedish, with subtitles in english

Last night, the old man and I watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (which I keep wanting to call "The Girl with the Red Dragon Tattoo". I assume that, in my version, Edward Norton* would pop up as an FBI agent) - the original film, in Swedish, with subtitles in English. LOVED it.

Noomi Rapace, who plays the girl in question, is really great in this film. I warn you - there are a couple of scenes in the first half of the film that are hard to take. This girl has led a harsh life, to be certain, and we see a bit of it on screen. What is etched on Noomi's face in those scenes, however, in contrast to her wide, curious eyes in later ones, is something fairly remarkable to witness. I also really liked Michael Nyqvist in the lead role of Mikael Blomkvist. I found him charming and sweet and even sexy. The relationship they develop makes perfect sense and my chest gets a little happy ache even reflecting back on it and little ways he would smile when he looked at her.

The mystery was sufficiently interesting and surprising. Easy enough to follow without being easily figured out (I hate it when I solve the mystery before the characters do). Of course, now when I read the book I will know what happens, but I am going to read it anyway.

We're watching the sequel tonight. I may well have found my latest obsession.

I am interested to see how American filmmakers fuck this film up when they make their version next year.