Excellent thriller

Rating: 8/10 (9 August 2010)

This superb cinematic adaptation of the novel captures all of the intense drama and intrigue of the main story while justifiably (and mercifully) abridging the details of the rather mundane and yawn-inducing narrative frame that sets up the central plot. The film, however, is rather long (over two and a half hours), but it definitely rewards the time investment—the performances are excellent, the story is engrossing, and the plot graphically illustrates the original Swedish title of the film ("Men Who Hate Women"). I suspect that the length of the film, combined with the need to read subtitles (along with many Americans' cinematic chauvinism), explains why most Americans will not see this movie but will instead wait for the altogether unnecessary American remake (starring Daniel Craig). Their loss. "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" is one of the best intelligent thrillers of the last few years.