Sweden to Hollywood: We Got This

[snurri]

I have never read the Stieg Larsson books, but today I mainlined the first two Swedish film adaptations based on them--they're on Netflix streaming, in case anyone is wondering, and the third will be streaming as of January 25th. They are better than I was expecting, and I have no doubt that the American versions will be inferior. (Actually that last bit I was pretty sure of before I watched the film, but then I am still bitter about "Let the Right One In.") The main takeaway from these films is HOLY SHIT NOOMI RAPACE. She has to carry the films, and she does more than that; she fucking lifts them up over her head, runs a hundred miles under their weight, and hurls them into orbit.

Comments

[mastadge.livejournal.com]

Normally I'd agree, but I found Dragon Tattoo solid but unexceptional (haven't seen the others), and with David Fincher making the remake, I think there's a fair chance it'll be superior to the original for a change. Only Rooney Mara doesn't strike me as being able to fill Noomi Rapace's boots, even if they do have most of the same letters in their names, so we'll see.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

I'm skeptical of Fincher; I can't help thinking of the glossy grittiness of "Fight Club," where these films felt very real to me. The exteriors in particular looked very un-Hollywood, and I very much doubt that the Americans will be able to restrain the urge to pretty everything up.