Last night I saw the Swedish film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and the verdict is not good news for bibliophiles. The film is better than the book, particularly in regard to the most important issue: How are the queers portrayed? Unlike the book—in which Lisbeth Salander is insecure about her body and is repeatedly described as looking anorexic—the film gives us a muscled, confident, masculine female who proudly chooses to play by her own rules. In other words, a dyke.
I admit I did close my eyes during the torture scenes—the Sapphist Gazetteer simply has no desire to watch that behavior—therefore I cannot give an entirely comprehensive review. However, I will say that it was a joy to see a dyke strutting around on screen in her big heavy boots. Even while having sex with the leading man, Lisbeth is clearly not straight.
You'll understand when you see it. You can also look forward to seeing Lisbeth rise confidently nude from a bed she shares with a sexy woman.Brava to Noomi Rapace, the
straight actress who plays Lisbeth Salander, for seeming to have no compulsion to appeal to convention. Can't wait to see what she does in The Girl Who Played With Fire, which will be released in the US in fall 2010. The movie poster shows Salander lounging on a BMW engulfed in flames. So cool. Not sure if I'll read the book first...
