On Lisbeth Salander or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Source: imdb.com

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) praises an extremely original European story. Not even after a decade from the first book screening, David Fincher tries to 'americanize' Larsson's book, which had previously and expressively been named "Men Who Hate Women".

The movie will impress only those who aren't familiar with the topic, whether the Swedish screening or the book. Fincher and his screenwriters cut out on various important parts of the book, but the suspense and the boiling moments á la Fincher are preserved. 

One of the main ideas of the movie human weakness and the ghosts we create around us and around ourselves in order to survive.

Who: The main character's psychology, the young Lisbeth Salander, is very well constructed by Larsson as well as by Fincher.  The first thing we observe about her is her unconventional look, everything about her tells "I am dangerous". But precisely the toughness she wants to express attracts the man of whom she will financially depend and eventually be raped. The rape scene is one of the most painful of the whole movie, a scene that seems never to end and that portraits perfectly the idea of men who hate women.

Source: ew.com

What and why: Lisbeth is the nonconformist heroin who lives in her own universe, taking out of reality only the virtual elements. She masters technology, she is sharp, research and private investigations are her qualities, and also her way she makes a living of. 

Being declared as socially unadapted, she is forced to depend on someone else, financially and legally. But, in the end of course, it's all about kindness. Because her whole life she was deprived of affection, she learns how to hate and not trust people. She is different, she is rejected, she is an outsider. Her rage and animalic reactions turn her into a persona non grata.

Actually she is a wounded animal, struggling with reality, the reality that is not up to her and that keeps letting her down. 

Sadly, the ending scene doesn't portray a happy future, because reality shows again its ugly side and will prove to her once more that people are untrustworthy. 

So, Lisbeth isn't a happy person, her childhood moulded her personality, her parents weren't there for her and she closed herself in her own world, taking out of life only certain elements.

And still, why do we love her? Because she's unique? Because she's original? Because she's the outsider? Because she punishes the ones that hurt women? Because she's able to live in her own reality? 

We love the essence that is underneath her extravagant apperance. Because we are always attracted to the unknown, the mysterious. Her visible side, her trashy side, shocks us and  mentally challanges us. 

What is left after viewing the movie? The image of a troubled, strong, mysterious and rebel girl. But one that doesn't find her place in this world. She doesn't do anything she doesn't want to and if she does, it's not for long. We like the fact that she keeps her dignity and her existential dimension, adding some unusual characteristics, but in the end she doesn't deny her sensitive side.