Sheros

The other day b and I went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  It was far better than I anticipated and I was told it would fantastic.  If you don't know about it, it is a Swedish film based on the first novel in a trilogy.  I have not read the books but am thinking it might make a great choice for my book club.

The original title in Swedish translates to "Men Who Hate Women."  It is an apt title as there is a lot of men hating on women in the film.  Some of the scenes are especially brutal and difficult to watch.  However I didn't find it gratuitous to the plot and it certainly helped make the point of the movie.  I'm mentioning it because sometimes it is nice to be forewarned about these things.

***Warning: Spoilers Ahead****

After watching the movie I ran across this article.  Go ahead and read it.  It is very interesting and informative.  In the article she talks about the character being the first true "shero," or a female superhero.  This was particularly interesting to me because the first words b said to me on leaving the theater was "She's a superhero."  I see it but it was not what I was left with from the movie.  I didn't feel empowered or that the movie empowered women.

I think she's a great character and I see the feminist possibilities but there are also several issues within the plot that detract from the "shero" phenomenon.  First there is the question of who's story is it: Blomkvist or Lisbeth?  Not to mention their relationship and the age difference.  Most importantly to me is the abuse Lisbeth has to take in the movie.  Can a shero only be born from abuse?  Could a man be raped and still be an action hero?  Finally there is the Bechdel Test.  There are two women in it (barely) and they do talk to each other but I would argue that they are talking about a man (or at least men do to women).

I haven't worked out all my thoughts on this movie but I was surprised reading in the article that people don't believe a man could think up this character and some even believe a woman (his wife) was really behind it.  I totally get Lisbeth as a male fantasy of a kick-a$$ woman.  I haven't worked out all of my thoughts on the movie and am very curious about all three books now.  Hopefully my fellow book club members will feel the same because I could use a good discussion on it.

I will say that watching a Swedish film with actors that look like real people (pimples, wrinkles, and hairy chests) was refreshing.  The thought of what Hollywood will do with the story is a little frightening.